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Reduced response of scleroderma fibroblasts to fibroblast growth factor
Abstract:
Reactivity of scleroderma fibroblasts to lymphoid cell-derived fibroblast growth factor (FGF) was assessed in this study. The fibroblasts from the sclerotic lesion failed to respond to FGF, whereas those from scleroedematous lesions responded equally to normal fibroblast. Response of the fibroblast from sclerotic lesion was also lower than that of the fibroblast from mature scar. Fibroblasts obtained from three different layers of healthy skin, papillary dermis, reticular dermis, and reticular-subcutaneous layer, responded equally to FGF, whereas the fibroblast of reticular dermis from sclerotic lesion failed to respond to FGF. It is suggested that the fibroblast of reticular dermis in scleroderma is variously activated by some unknown factors, so that they do not have enough reserve to respond to further stimuli.
Insights
Scleroderma fibroblasts from sclerotic lesions show reduced reactivity to fibroblast growth factor (FGF). This suggests that unknown factors may activate these cells, limiting their response to further stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
- Fibroblast Research
Background:
- Scleroderma is characterized by fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix deposition.
- Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) plays a role in regulating fibroblast behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reactivity of scleroderma fibroblasts to fibroblast growth factor (FGF).
- To compare the response of fibroblasts from different scleroderma lesion types and healthy skin to FGF.
Main Methods:
- Fibroblasts were isolated from sclerotic and scleroedematous lesions of scleroderma patients, as well as from healthy skin.
- Fibroblast reactivity to FGF was assessed by measuring their response.
Main Results:
- Fibroblasts from sclerotic lesions exhibited significantly lower responsiveness to FGF compared to those from scleroedematous lesions or mature scars.
- Fibroblasts from healthy skin layers (papillary dermis, reticular dermis, reticular-subcutaneous) showed equal responsiveness to FGF.
- Fibroblasts from the reticular dermis of sclerotic lesions failed to respond to FGF.
Conclusions:
- Fibroblasts in the reticular dermis of scleroderma patients may be pre-activated by unknown factors.
- This pre-activation state could deplete their capacity to respond to subsequent stimuli like FGF.