H. Tabata et al., ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF SCLERODERMATOUS CHRONIC GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE, International journal of dermatology, 35(12), 1996, pp. 862-866
Background. Sclerodermatous chronic graft-versus-host disease (SC-GVHD
) resembles systemic scleroderma (SSD) closely, both clinically and hi
stologically. Our purpose was to try to define the morphologic differe
nces of collagen fibers between SC-GVHD and SSD. Materials and Methods
. Using electron microscopy, we compared the morphology of collagen fi
bers in a 15-year old girl with SC-GVHD with those of three patients w
ith SSD. Results. In SC-GVHD, sclerosis is located in the superficial
dermis and collagen fibers of irregular diameter are seen in the subep
idermal area. In SSD, sclerosis is seen in the lower dermis and subcut
aneous fatty tissue, and collagen fibers of irregular diameter are loc
ated in the deep dermis. Some of the collagen fibers were degenerative
in the superficial dermis in SC-GVHD. We observed low-density, round
structures in cross sections of collagen fibers. Conclusions. The diff
erence in initial location and morphologic appearance of collagen fibe
rs may indicate a different pathogenesis in SC-GVHD compared to SSD.