Ann Dermatol.  2014 Jun;26(3):332-337.

Notch Intracellular Domain Expression in Various Skin Fibroproliferative Diseases

• Kim JE
• Lee JH
• Jeong KH
• Kim GM
• Kang H

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The effects of the Notch signaling pathway in fibroproliferative skin diseases have not been fully elucidated.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of activated Notch signaling molecules in various skin fibroproliferative diseases.
METHODS
Immunohistochemical analysis of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) expression in keloid, hypertrophic scar, morphea, dermatofibroma, and normal control skin specimens was performed, and the clinical characteristics of patients with various skin fibroproliferative diseases were analyzed.
RESULTS
NICD was highly expressed in fibroblasts of keloids and moderately to highly expressed in hypertrophic scars and dermatofibromas, whereas low or no expression was detected in the fibroblasts of normal skin specimens and morpheas. NICD was constitutively expressed in keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and immune cells in normal skin specimens.
CONCLUSION
NICD was significantly expressed in human fibroproliferative skin disorders, especially keloids, suggesting that an activated Notch signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis.

Keyword

Benign fibrous histiocytoma; Hypertrophic cicatrix; Keloid; Localized scleroderma; Notch receptors

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix, Hypertrophic
Endothelial Cells
Fibroblasts
Fibrosis
Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous
Humans
Keloid
Keratinocytes
Receptors, Notch
Scleroderma, Localized
Skin Diseases
Skin*
Receptors, Notch

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Immunohistochemical analysis of Notch intracellular domain expression in skin samples from fibroproliferative skin disorders and healthy controls. Keloid (A), hypertrophic scar (B), dermatofibroma (C), morphea (D), and normal control (E) (A, C, D, E: ×100; B: ×40).

• 

  Fig. 2 Immunohistochemical localization of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in keloid (A, B), hypertrophic scar (C), dermatofibroma (D, E), morhea (F, G), and normal control (H). Keloid fibroblasts showed more intense immunoreactivity than hypertrophic scar and dermatofibroma fibroblasts. Strong to moderate NICD expression is observed in fibroblasts, endothelial cells and infiltrating immune cells in all specimens. Asterisks indicate vessels; arrowheads indicate fibroblasts; arrows indicate infiltrating immune cells (A, C, D, G: ×100; B, E, F, H: ×400).

• 

  Fig. 3 Immunohistolocalization of Notch intracellular domain in various fibroproliferative skin diseases and normal skin.

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