Abstract
Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) and granuloma annulare (GA) belong to the granulomatous skin diseases with unclear pathogenesis. Despite the quite common occurrence of these entities in dermatological practice, research into the subject is limited. Thus, we decided to perform an immunohistochemical analysis of skin biopsies in order to assess the expression of selected proteins involved in angiogenesis. The study group consisted of 21 patients with NL and 23 with GA, selected from the database at the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Łodź. Six healthy subjects served as the controls. Skin sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies directed against VEGF and CD34. The intensity of expression of epidermal VEGF, and the number of CD34+ dermal blood vessels were assessed. The mean intensity of VEGF immunoexpression in GA patients was 0.91, and was significantly higher than in either the NL patients (0.45; p<0.01) or the control group (0.14; p<0.009). The mean CD34+ microvessel density per mm2 in the GA group was 79.04, which was significantly higher than in the NL group (64.84; p<0.009) and in the controls (52.03; p<0.001). The obtained results confirm the similarity of the histological features of NL and GA. However, in GA, the biopsy changes in angiogenesis were more marked in the GL than in the NL group. In conclusion, based on our results we can assume that imbalance in the process of angiogenesis is one the factors involved in development of both NL and GA.
Highlights
Necrobiosis Lipoidica (NL) and Granuloma Annulare (GA) belong to the granulomatous skin diseases with unclear pathogenesis
No statistical difference was found between CD34+ microvessel density per mm2 in NL patients (64.84) and in controls (52.03) (p=0.10)
Increased vascular growth has been demonstrated in inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis [13,14]
Summary
Necrobiosis Lipoidica (NL) and Granuloma Annulare (GA) belong to the granulomatous skin diseases with unclear pathogenesis. Other authors postulate that NL is a connective tissue disorder and that subsequent skin inflammation leads to the development of skin lesions [5]. Skin damage results in the enhanced synthesis of collagen I [6]. Many authors have suggested that elastic fiber degeneration is the primary event that subsequently provokes the granulomatous response, and the collagen degeneration is a secondary effect [9,10,11]. Japanese researchers believe that skin lesion relapses in GA result from uncontrolled inflammation mediated by apoptosis [12]. Because of the limited data on the pathogenesis of these two entities, we decided to perform an immunohistochemical analysis of skin biopsies in order to assess the expression of selected proteins involved in angiogenesis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
