Variability in collagen and fibronectin synthesis by scleroderma fibroblasts in primary culture

Primary cultures of fibroblasts obtained from the papillary, reticular and subcutaneous layer of scleroderma skin were analyzed for protein synthesis by metabolic labeling and radioimmunoassays. Several of these cultures showed a 10- to 20-fold increase in the production of total protein and collagen as well as of fibronectin and type III procollagen as compared to cells from unaffected individuals. Most of the increases were noted in the reticular and subcutaneous layers. With cells from other patients increased synthesis was found in some of the explants or for only some of the products. The heterogeneity observed here could represent heterogeneity in the disease, in the cells studied or in the state of the disease at the time the cells were obtained.