Pathologic observations concerning the cutaneous lesion of progressive systemic sclerosis: An electron microscopic histochemical and immunohistochemical study

Abstract The results of a comprehensive histochemical and electron microscopic study of skin biopsies from 15 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis exhibiting varying degrees of sclerodermatous involvement strongly suggest that the alterations in this disorder result from an increase of otherwise normal collagen fibers. The failure to demonstrate preferential localization of gamma globulin or other plasma proteins within these lesions is unlike that observed in other so‐called connective tissue diseases purported to have an immunoallergic pathogenesis.