Mast cells and transforming growth factor-beta expression: a possible relationship in the development of porphyria cutanea tarda skin lesions.

BACKGROUND

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a metabolic disease characterized by vesicles and blisters in sun-exposed areas and scleroderma-like lesions in sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed areas. Mast cells participate in the pathogenesis of bullous diseases and diseases that show sclerosis, including PCT. Moreover, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is the main cytokine in the development of tissue sclerosis. The correlation of mast cells and TGF-beta with the lesions of PCT has not been examined, however. The possible role of mast cells and TGF-beta (and the relationship between them) in the development of PCT lesions is discussed.

METHODS

To quantify mast cells and cells expressing TGF-beta in skin samples from patients with PCT and controls, immunohistochemical studies were performed in tissue sections allied to morphometric analyses.

RESULTS

The numbers of mast cells and cells expressing TGF-beta per square millimeter were increased in the PCT group relative to controls, and there was a direct and significant correlation between the mast cell number and cells expressing TGF-beta in PCT.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the increased number of mast cells and of cells expressing TGF-beta, as well as their direct correlation, may contribute to the pathogenesis of the skin lesions in PCT.