Presence of growth factors in palmar and plantar fibromatoses

Palmar and plantar fibromatoses are disease processes in which the presence of certain growth factors has not been defined. Monoclonal antibodies against transforming growth factor-beta, epidermal growth factor, procollagen type 1, fibronectin, phosphotyrosine residues, and CD41 platelet antigen were used in standard immunoperoxidase staining to study 36 nodules and 24 cords obtained from patients with fibromatoses. The specimens were studied via light microscopy, and staining intensity was quantitated using a computer-enhanced video system. Transforming growth factor-beta staining paralleled procollagen I, fibronectin, and phosphotyrosine staining within the nodule (early stages) but not the cord (late stages) tissue. These factors showed significant increased staining in the early stage of fibromatosis when compared to the late stage. This study is a preliminary demonstration of the presence of transforming growth factor-beta in palmar and plantar fibromatoses.