[The pathobiochemistry of Dupuytren's contracture]

Dupuytren's contracture is a connective tissue disorder characterized by nodular fibroblastic proliferation of palmar fascia leading to a shortening and progressive digital flexion deformity. It seems that this pathological process is initiated by the differentiation of fibroblast into myofibroblast which has morphologic characteristic of both fibroblast and a smooth muscle cell. Myofibroblasts are able to biosynthesize and secrete growth factors which subsequently bind to the receptors anchored on its surface, bringing about an autocrine and paracrine modality of control cell growth, differentiation and proliferation. It leads to imbalance in the metabolism of extracellular matrix molecules, especially collagen, elastin, fibronectin, laminin, proteoglycan and others, finally damaging mechanical properties of palmar aponeurosis. This rewiev highlights mechanism and many of mentioned factors potentially involved in the development of Dupuytren's disease.