CONNECTIVE-TISSUE GROWTH-FACTOR GENE-EXPRESSION IN TISSUE-SECTIONS FROM LOCALIZED SCLERODERMA, KELOID, AND OTHER FIBROTIC SKIN DISORDERS

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a novel peptide that exhibit s platelet-derived growth factor-like activities and is produced by sk in fibroblasts after activation with transforming growth factor-beta. coordinate expression of transforming growth factor-beta followed by C TGF during wound repair suggests a cascade process for control of tiss ue regeneration, We recently reported a significant correlation betwee n CTGF mRNA expression and histologic sclerosis in systemic sclerosis, To confirm the relation between CTGF and skin fibrosis, we investigat ed CTGF gene expression in tissue sections from patients with localize d scleroderma, keloid, and other sclerotic skin disorders using nonrad ioactive in situ hybridization, In localized scleroderma, the fibrobla sts with positive signals for CTGF mRNA were scattered throughout the sclerotic lesions with no preferential distribution around the inflamm atory cells or perivascular regions, whereas the adjacent nonaffected dermis was negative for CTGF mRNA. In keloid tissue, the fibroblasts p ositive for CTGF mRNA were diffusely distributed, especially in the pe ripheral expanding lesions, In scar tissue, however, the fibroblasts i n the fibrotic lesions showed partially positive signals for CTGF mRNA , In eosinophilic fasciitis, nodular fasciitis, and Dupuytren's contra cture, CTGF mRNA was also expressed partially in the fibroblasts of th e fibrotic lesions, Our findings reinforce a correlation between CTGF gene expression and skin sclerosis and support the hypothesis that tra nsforming growth factor-beta plays an important role in the pathogenes is of fibrosis, as it is the only inducer for CTGF identified to date.