Abstract | BACKGROUND: The clinical features of lichen sclerosus, which include atrophy, scarring, fragility and tendency to form ecchymoses with only slight trauma, suggest that there is an alteration in the extracellular matrix fibres that are responsible for the tensile strength of the dermis. However, the precise nature of these changes is poorly understood. METHODS: RESULTS: In the lichen sclerosus specimens, collagens I and III stained with a more homogeneous pattern than in the control tissues. Reduced numbers of elastin fibres were seen in the zone of sclerosus in 15 of the 16 lichen sclerosus specimens. In the control tissue fibrillin fibres were seen as a fine network of fibres in the upper dermis arranged at right angles to and inserting into the basement membrane and forming a fine network throughout the dermis. In the lichen sclerosus specimens, although fibrillin microfibrils were still seen inserting at right angles into the basement membrane, below this the fibrillin staining was reduced in the upper dermis in 11 of the 12 lichen sclerosus specimens. The zone of reduced fibrillin staining was greatest in those specimens where the band of inflammation was deep in the dermis. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | A M Farrell, D Dean, P R Millard, F M Charnock, F Wojnarowska |
Journal | Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
(J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol)
Vol. 15
Issue 3
Pg. 212-7
(May 2001)
ISSN: 0926-9959 [Print] England |
PMID | 11683283
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Collagen Type I
- Collagen Type III
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins
- Fibrillins
- Microfilament Proteins
- Elastin
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Topics |
- Collagen Type I
(metabolism)
- Collagen Type III
(metabolism)
- Elastin
(metabolism)
- Extracellular Matrix
(metabolism)
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins
(metabolism)
- Female
- Fibrillins
- Humans
- Immunoenzyme Techniques
- Immunohistochemistry
- Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus
(metabolism, pathology)
- Microfilament Proteins
(metabolism)
- Vulva
(pathology)
- Vulvar Diseases
(metabolism, pathology)
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