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An Investigation into the Role of Inflammatory Cells in Dupuytrens DiseaseFrom Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital and Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Correspondence: Mr. J. G. Andrew, 39 Victoria Avenue, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 8QX. An immunohistochemical study was performed on nodules excised from the palmar fascia of patients with Dupuytrens contracture. In cellular nodules, antibodies to actin (used as a marker for myofibroblasts), desmin, vimentin, Mac 387 (a macrophage marker) and leucocyte common antigen were used. A correlation was demonstrated between the numbers of macrophages and the presence of myofibroblasts. The presence of myofibroblasts is generally considered to indicate the active stage of the disease. Inflammatory cells other than macrophages were largely absent from the nodules, although lymphocytes were frequent in the tissue around the nodules. Microvascular changes were prominent in the nodules and pericyte proliferation was observed around occluded capillaries. Release of growth factors from macrophages may be important in Dupuytrens contracture, as is the case in other fibrotic diseases. The possible role of macrophages in the aetiology of Dupuytrens disease is discussed.
Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume), Vol. 16, No. 3,
267-271 (1991) |
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