OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of fibrogenic cytokines in lichen sclerosus (LS) infiltrate as compared with lichen pl;anus (LP) infiltrate. STUDY DESIGN: Eight cases of vulvar LS (early stage, n=3; well developed or old, n=5) and 4 of vulvar LP were studied. Monoclonal antibodies directed against some of the major fibrogenic cytokines (IL-4, TGF-beta, IL-6) and against IFN-gamma, which inhibits collagen synthesis, were used per the alkaline phosphathase/anti-alkaline phosphatase technique on frozen sections. RESULTS: Staining for IL-4 revealed higher expression of fibrogenic cytokines (more than 50% infiltrating cells) in the LS infiltrate, mainly in early lesions, than in LP. Conversely, staining for IFN-gamma in LS was poor (less than 10% infiltrating cells), while strong positivity (more than 60% infiltrating cells) was found in LP. Staining for TGF-beta, a mediator of fibrosis in scleroderma, was similar in both LS and LP dermis. CONCLUSION: This study showed the immunohistochemical expression of fibrogenic cytokines in vulvar LS, with a different pattern as compared to that of LP. It is conceivable that dermal infiltrating cells actively participate, via cytokine production, in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in LS.
Carli, P., Moretti, S., Spallanzani, A., Berti, E., Cattaneo, A. (1997). Fibrogenic cytokines in vulvar lichen sclerosus: An immunohistochemical study. JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE, 42(3), 161-165.
Fibrogenic cytokines in vulvar lichen sclerosus: An immunohistochemical study
Berti, E;
1997
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of fibrogenic cytokines in lichen sclerosus (LS) infiltrate as compared with lichen pl;anus (LP) infiltrate. STUDY DESIGN: Eight cases of vulvar LS (early stage, n=3; well developed or old, n=5) and 4 of vulvar LP were studied. Monoclonal antibodies directed against some of the major fibrogenic cytokines (IL-4, TGF-beta, IL-6) and against IFN-gamma, which inhibits collagen synthesis, were used per the alkaline phosphathase/anti-alkaline phosphatase technique on frozen sections. RESULTS: Staining for IL-4 revealed higher expression of fibrogenic cytokines (more than 50% infiltrating cells) in the LS infiltrate, mainly in early lesions, than in LP. Conversely, staining for IFN-gamma in LS was poor (less than 10% infiltrating cells), while strong positivity (more than 60% infiltrating cells) was found in LP. Staining for TGF-beta, a mediator of fibrosis in scleroderma, was similar in both LS and LP dermis. CONCLUSION: This study showed the immunohistochemical expression of fibrogenic cytokines in vulvar LS, with a different pattern as compared to that of LP. It is conceivable that dermal infiltrating cells actively participate, via cytokine production, in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in LS.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.