[Fibronectin in Dupuytren contracture].

The distribution of fibronectin in the palmar aponeurosis of patients with Dupuytren's contracture was compared with that of normal controls, using an immunofluorescent technique. The tissues were also investigated with type-specific anticollagen antisera (anti-type I and anti-type III collagen). Tissues from Dupuytren's contracture patients showed intense fibronectin fluorescence in the whole range studied. Collagen fibre bundles are characterized by a peripherally increased fibronectin concentration. Type I collagen is uniformly distributed, while type III collagen also seems to be enriched around the thickened fibre bundles.