Myofibroblasts from scleroderma skin synthesize elevated levels of collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) with two forms of TIMP-1

摘要: Cultured fibroblasts derived from skin biopsies scleroderma patients and normal individuals were examined for the presence of smooth muscle alpha-actin, a marker myofibroblasts. Six eight cell lines found to be 50% or more positive alpha-actin while three four one line unaffected patient less than 10% positive. The cultured affected largely myofibroblasts, phenotype in tissue, as well other fibrotic lesions, wound healing, tumor desmoplasia. data support hypothesis that certain activated fibroblast predominates scleroderma. is myofibroblast. Both collagen TIMP (tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases) elevated (myofibroblast enriched) cultures. In addition, myofibroblast-enriched cultures displayed prominent doublet band pattern on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.