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Updated: May 23, 2026
Human Dupuytren's Ex Vivo Culture for the Study of Myofibroblasts and Extracellular Matrix Interactions
Published on: April 18, 2015
[Alterations of cell phenotype in Dupuytren's disease--an in vitro analysis]
Introduction:
Despite its potential complications, partial aponeurectomy still is the mainstay of treatment whenever it comes to significant contracture in Dupuytren's disease. With the goal in mind to identify new therapeutic strategies we isolated and characterised cells from healthy palmar aponeurosis (Kon) and compared them to cells isolated from palmar aponeurosis of patients with a primary manifestation of Dupuytren's disease (PrimDup) as well as from patients with recurrent Dupuytren's disease (RezDup). As cells from palmar aponeurosis from patients with Dupuytren's disease share characteristics with stem cells, such as the ability to differentiate into other cell types, we analysed the stemness, morphology and integrin receptor profiles of the cells.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 15 Dupuytren samples were collected from regular partial aponeurectomy procedures. From these, 3 donors without extrinsic risk factors were selected per group (RezDup, PrimDup). Cells were isolated and expanded under standard cell culture conditions. Cells from healthy patients served as control (Kon). Growth curves were produced. Cells were subjected to osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation using standard protocols. Semiquantitative PCR analysis of the integrins α2, β3, β5 and fibronectin was performed.
Results:
PrimDup cells proliferated significantly faster than control cells, which in turn proliferated faster than RezDup cells. Both PrimDup and control cells went into senescence after approximately 40 days whereas RezDup cells proliferated over the entire period of 100 days. Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was best in cells derived from Dupuytren patients while Kon cells differentiated poorly. PCR analysis revealed that fibronectin-binding integrins β3 and β5 are upregulated in Dupuytren's disease.
Conclusions:
PrimDup cells grow faster than the other cell types suggesting that their growth regulation may be altered. The fact that RezDup cells do not reach senescence over 100 days in culture indicates that senescence regulating factors may be altered. As cells from Dupuytren patients differentiate better along the osteogenic and adipogenic lineages, they probably possess a higher level of stemness. Their modified integrin profile may be a key to future therapies.
