[Expression of connective tissue growth factor in skin lesions in patients with scleroderma].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the pathogenesis of scleroderma (SD) and its association with different types and stages of SD. METHODS: The expression of CTGF mRNA and proteins in the skin lesions of 36 patients with SD (including 29 SSc, 7 localized SD; 28 cases at edema and sclerosis stage, and 8 cases at atrophy stage) was detected with in situ RT-PCR and immuno-histochemical SABC respectively. Twenty normal skin tissues served as controls. RESULTS: The SD patients had higher positive rate and field-strength score of the expression of CTGF mRNA and proteins than the controls. No significant differences were found in the positive rate and field-strength score of the expression of CTGF mRNA and proteins between localized SD and SSc. The SD patients at the edema and sclerosis stage had higher positive rate and field-strength score of the expression of CTGF mRNA and proteins than those at the atrophy stage. CONCLUSION: CTGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SD and it is closely associated with the development of the pathologic fibrotic process. Localized SD and SSc may have similar pathogenesis.