Factor XIIIa⁺ dermal dendrocytes in erythema elevatum diutinum and ordinary cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis lesions

Abstract

Factor XIIIa+ dermal dendrocytes belong to the dermal microvascular unit and are related to wound healing, angiogenic and fibrogenic processes. Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is a leukocytoclastic vasculitis followed by repair and fibrosis. In order to verify the involvement of fXIIIa+DD in the pathogenesis of EED and ordinary leukocytoclastic vasculitis (OLV) these cells were immune labeled with anti-factor XIIIa antibody and quantified in 15 biopsies of EED, 18 of OLV and compared with 11 fragments of normal skin (NS). The number of vessels was evaluated by endothelial cell staining with anti CD34 antibody. FXIIIa+DD appeared in both groups of vasculitis with hyperthophic dendrites, with no difference in their number at any level of the dermis. The number of fXIIIa+DD in the superficial dermis was higher in OLV than in NS (p<0.001). The number of dermal vessels in the EED group was higher at all dermis depths evaluated when compared with NS (p<0.05) and in the middle and deep dermis when compared with OLV (p<0.05). The results suggest the participation of fXIIIa+DD in the immunopathological mechanisms of both groups of vasculitis studied. However, there was no correlation between the number of fXIIIa+DD and angiogenesis and fibrogenesis in the EED lesions.

Perfil histopatológico e imuno-histoquímico da leishmaniose tegumentar americana com ênfase nos dendrócitos dérmicos FXIIIa+

“…The localization of these cells, underlying the epidermis, perivascular areas and in the inflammatory cell infiltrate, is compatible with the role of antigen-presenting cells (APC). 16,[18][19][20] The examined lesions were from areas exposed to sunlight, and our findings are in contrast with the results of Hoyo et al 13 , who reported an increase in the number of these cells, as well as of several cytokines which are present in ACL, stimulated by the ultraviolet rays. Comparing the number of these cells in ACL with the number of cells in normal skin of the suprapubic region, that is unexposed to sunlight and in which the number of DD should be decreased, no statistically significant evidence was found.…”

“…It is speculated whether the finding of a non-increased number of DDFXIIIa+, as in other research 16,19,20 , could result from the migration of LC/DD FXIIIa+ from skin to lymph nodes. A greater number of ACL cases and a comparison of the amount of DDFXIIIa+ with normal skin from sunexposed and unexposed areas are believed to be needed to achieve a statistically significant result.…”

Cutaneous vasculitis: a review

“…Other syndromes that combine a LCV with prominent extravascular neutrophilia include WG, septic vasculitis, IBD, BD, and RA 41,45,56 . The dermal fibrogenesis is postulated to reflect activation of factor XIIIa‐expressing dermal dendrocytes 82 …”

Correlation of factor XIIIa + dermal dendrocytes with paracoccidioidomycosis skin lesions

“…In order to verify the internalization of P. brasiliensis antigens by FXIIIa ‡ DD, a double immunostaining was performed using a Doublestain Envision System (Dako) [22]. After deparaf nization with xylene and hydration of the tissue, endogenous peroxidase activity was blocked with 0 03% hydrogen peroxide for 5 min.…”