PAPULONODULAR MUCINOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS - POSSIBLE MECHANISMS OF INCREASED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN ACCUMULATION

Background: The mechanism for the production of papulonodular mucinosi s in patients with lupus erythematosus (LE) is not known. Objective: O ur purpose was to determine whether fibroblasts in a patient with LE a nd papulonodular mucinosis produced more mucin than normal fibroblasts and whether this mucin production could be stimulated by the patient' s serum. Methods: Skin fibroblasts from a patient with systemic LE and massive papulonodular mucin deposition, as well as normal fibroblasts , were incubated in the presence of serum from the patient or from a h ealthy volunteer. The production of glycosaminoglycan by fibroblasts w as analyzed. Results: Fibroblasts from the patient produced more glyco saminoglycan than did normal fibroblasts. Glycosaminoglycan production was increased in all cells when incubated in the presence of the pati ent's serum. Conclusion: Cutaneous mucin deposition in patients with p apulonodular LE skin lesions is associated with increased glycosaminog lycan production by dermal fibroblasts. Our preliminary observations s uggest glycosaminoglycan production by these fibroblasts appears to be stimulated by a factor, (or factors) in the patient's serum that is y et to be identified.