The Myofibroblast in Dupuytren’s Contracture

Abstract

Dupuytren's contracture nodules, but not cords, contain myofibroblasts. These cells, which combine many electron microscopic, physiologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, are probably the active force of contraction. Prominent myofibroblasts and intracellular microtubules correlate with increased likelihood of clinical recurrence after surgery. Tissue culture of cells derived from Dupuytren's contracture myofibroblasts show consistently slower cell replication than from fibroblasts and show persistence of electron microscopic characteristics in early passages. Research in Dupuytren's contracture myofibroblasts has been done on human tissue and so has clinical correlation. Myofibroblast presence may help to predict recurrence of disease and suggests that palmar skin should be excised when adherent to disease nodules. The theory of myofibroblasts helps explain why the open technique often succeeds, and why full thickness skin grafts inhibit recurrent contracture.