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Analysis of Characteristics Similar to Autoimmune Disease in Keloid Patients

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Abstract

Background

Keloid is a fibrotic skin disease for which immune cell infiltration is a primary pathological hallmark. Meanwhile, in autoimmune diseases, triggering of the inflammation response can lead to tissue injury and subsequent organ fibrosis. When the skin is involved in autoimmune disease, skin fibrosis such as that seen in scleroderma can occur. In this study, we propose that keloid possesses features of autoimmune disease.

Methods

To verify whether keloid possesses features of autoimmune disease, immune cell infiltration and immune complex deposits were detected with immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence, respectively, in keloid and normal skin tissues. A routine antinuclear antibody profile was tested in sera from 28 keloid patients and 28 healthy controls. Lastly, the anti-hnRNPA2B1 autoantibody in sera was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The numbers of CD1α+ Langerhans cells, CD3+ T lymphocytes, CD68+ macrophages, and CD20+ B lymphocytes increased in keloid tissues compared to normal skin. IgA, IgM, C3, and C1q deposits were found in keloid tissues but not in normal skin, while anti-hnRNPA2B1 levels in sera from keloid patients were elevated.

Conclusion

The above findings suggest that keloids have some characteristics that are similar to autoimmune disease and might be mediated by autoimmune responses.

Level of Evidence IV

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (30871433, 31071305).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China

    Hu Jiao, Li Yan, Ping Dong & Ran Xiao

  2. Scar Plastic Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China

    Jincai Fan, Jinglong Cai, Xianlei Zong & Cheng Gan

  3. Auricle Reconstruction Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China

    Bo Pan

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  1. Hu Jiao
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Correspondence to Ran Xiao.

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Jiao, H., Fan, J., Cai, J. et al. Analysis of Characteristics Similar to Autoimmune Disease in Keloid Patients. Aesth Plast Surg 39, 818–825 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-015-0542-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-015-0542-4

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