Significantly increased CCL5/RANTES and CCR7 mRNA levels in localized scleroderma

Plaque-type morphea, the most common subtype of localized scleroderma (LS), is a connective tissue disease which is characterized by immunological dysregulation, vascular alterations, and skin fibrosis. We aimed to investigate the expression profiles of different cytokines and chemokines in patients with LS and healthy controls. Twenty patients with plaque-type morphea and 18 healthy controls were investigated. Skin biopsies were performed for real-time RT-PCR studies. Median mRNA of interleukin (IL)-6 was significantly higher expressed in LS than in normal skin. By contrast, median IL-1α mRNA levels were significantly decreased in LS as compared to controls. Median mRNA expression of CCL13, IL-1β, IL-2, and tumor necrosis factor-α did not significantly differ between LS lesions and healthy skin. However, we observed significantly increased median chemokine ligand 5/RANTES (CCL5/RANTES) and median chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) mRNA expression in LS lesions as compared to healthy controls. CCL5/RANTES and CCR7 mRNA expression significantly correlated in LS lesions. We could confirm data of previous studies indicating that gene expression of IL-6 is up-regulated in LS lesions as compared to healthy skin. Moreover, we have shown for the first time a significant increase of mRNA levels of CCR7 and CCL5/RANTES in LS lesions indicating an important pathogenetic role of chemokines in LS.