Abstract
AbstractUsing an immunofluorescent technique, the localization of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was investigated in granuloma lesions from the skin of three sarcoidosis cases. Specific fluorescence was observed in epithelioid cells in the sarcoidosis granulomas examined. However, it was not found in any other granulomatous diseases observed as controls, which included granuloma annulare, foreign body granuloma and lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei. These results indicate that ACE is specifically localized in the epithelioid cells in cutaneous granuloma lesions of sarcoidosis; in one case, it was also observed in Langhans giant cells. Therefore, it is suggested that examination for ACE in cutaneous lesions using an immunofluorescent technique is very useful for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in the skin. We suggest that epithelioid cells of granulomas in sarcoidosis cutaneous lesions may play an important role in the increase of serum ACE activity.
Published Version
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