Intraendothelial tubular aggregates in experimental wounds.

Intraendothelial tubular aggregates were found in small dermal blood vessels in three healing superficial wounds in patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Similar inclusions were also demonstrated in two wounds in healthy subjects, but were not found in normal (unwounded) skin of either healthy subjects or steroid-treated patients. Tubular aggregates of similar structure have previously been described as occurring in 'connective tissue' or 'auto-immune' diseases, including lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis, both in the skin and in internal organs. Although it has been suggested that such aggregates are of viral origin, their morphogenesis and significance remain undertermined. Our findings do not support a viral cause, but suggest that these structures are probably a product of regenerating endothelium.