A Case of Segmental Morphea with Marked Mast Cell Infiltration / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Mast cell has often been discussed to play an important role in tissue fibrosis, although its significance in the fibrotic process has not been completely elucidated as yet. Mast cells increase in number in the fibrotic conditions including scleroderma, wound healing, hypertrophic scar or keloid. Scleroderma fibroblasts spontaneously release high amounts of stem cell factor(SCF) than normal dermal fibroblasts. Fibroblast-derived SCF stimulates mast cells to release high amounts of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1). MCP-1 upregulates alpha(I) collagen mRNA expression in cultured skin fibroblasts. This effect may be an additional mechanism by which fibroblasts and mast cells interact in the development of fibrosis. Furthermore, human stem cell factor promotes melanocytes hyperplasia and functional activation. A 33-year-old Korean man noted brownish, segmental, indurated, intermittently pruritic and swollen plaque in the left side of T8 dermatome 1 year previously. Skin biopsy specimen showed increased melanin pigments in the basal layer of epidermis, increased dermal collagen fibers, sclerotic dermal collagen & perivascular inflammatory cellular infiltration, including mast cells. We report a case of segmental morphea with marked mast cell infiltration, probably showing the interaction between mast cells and fibroblasts or melanocytes through SCF.