Keloids and hypertrophic scars of Caucasians show distinctive morphologic and immunophenotypic profiles

Abstract.

The aim of this study was to identify possible morpho-phenotypic differences between keloids (K) and hypertrophic scars (HS) in a Caucasian population. Young HS (≤1 year of age) presented a high number of diffusely distributed spindle-shaped cells (α-smooth-muscle actin⁺ and fibronectin⁺). Fully developed HS (>1 year of age and <3 years of age) were characterized by the frequent presence of distinct collagenous cellular nodules (cells: α-smooth-muscle actin⁺ and fibronectin⁺). Old HS (≥3 years of age) showed widespread collagenization phenomena. The histological profile of K was not related to the age of the lesion and was characterized by the almost constant presence of abnormally thick, hyalinized collagen fibers, the presence of collagenous cellular nodules, and variable – albeit lower than in HS – expression of α-smooth-muscle actin and fibronectin. Ultrastructurally, myofibroblasts were the predominant cell type in young and fully developed HS and in K. The immune-cell infiltrate was composed of CD3⁺, CD45RO⁺, CD4⁺, human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-DR⁺, and lymphocyte function associated antigen (LFA)-1⁺ T lymphocytes, strictly associated with CD1a⁺/CD36⁺, HLA-DR⁺, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1⁺ dendritic cells, both in HS and K. However, different amounts of immune cells were observed in relation to the type and age of the lesion, and these findings support the hypothesis that cell-mediated, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-class II-restricted immune responses play an important role in the development of HS and K.