Analysis of collagen gene expression by cultured fibroblasts in morphoea

• Published in: British journal of dermatology (1951) Vol. 126; no. 3; p. 216
• Main Authors: Hatamochi, A, Ono, M, Arakawa, M, Takeda, K, Ueki, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-03-1992
• Subjects: Actins - biosynthesis; Adult; Aged; Cells, Cultured; Collagen - biosynthesis; Collagen - genetics; Female; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Fibronectins - biosynthesis; Gene Expression; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Scleroderma, Localized - genetics; Scleroderma, Localized - metabolism
• ISSN: 0007-0963
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1992.tb00648.x

Collagen gene expression was studied in dermal fibroblasts derived from the inflammatory and sclerotic skin lesions of patients with localized or generalized morphoea. The levels of mRNA for type I collagen in early-passage fibroblasts derived from inflammatory lesions were higher than those obtained from the uninvolved skin, whereas those fibroblasts obtained from sclerotic lesions were unaltered. No alteration in type I collagen mRNA levels was observed in late-passage fibroblasts derived from the inflammatory lesions. The relative rate of collagen to total protein synthesis in early-passage fibroblasts derived from inflammatory lesions was higher than that of fibroblasts from uninvolved skin, while no alteration or a slight decrease was observed in fibroblasts from the sclerotic lesions. The data suggest that the inflammatory reactions induce increased collagen synthesis by fibroblasts in the skin in scleroderma.