BACKGROUND: Mid-dermal elastolysis (MDE) is a rare disorder of the elastic tissue that is characterized histopathologically by selective loss of elastic fibres in the mid dermis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the protein and mRNA expression of extracellular matrix-related proteins and growth factors in the skin (lesional and non-lesional) of a female patient with the reticular variant of MDE. METHODS: Real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry was performed for matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, decorin, biglycan, versican, fibronectin, elastin, extracellular matrix protein 1, cathepsin G, transforming growth factor ß1 and connective tissue growth factor. RESULTS: Although protein expression of decorin, biglycan and versican was reduced in the mid dermis of lesional skin, mRNA expression did not differ between lesional and non-lesional skin. As expected, elastin expression was significantly diminished in the mid dermis of lesional skin, whereas mRNA expression levels of elastin were equal to non-lesional skin. Immunoreactivity of MMP-1 was increased in lesional upper and mid dermis. Accordingly, MMP-1 mRNA was also significantly higher expressed in MDE when compared with non-lesional skin. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm data of the previous investigations indicating that increased MMP-1 activity followed by elastin degradation seems to constitute the pathogenetic background of MDE.
BACKGROUND: Mid-dermal elastolysis (MDE) is a rare disorder of the elastic tissue that is characterized histopathologically by selective loss of elastic fibres in the mid dermis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the protein and mRNA expression of extracellular matrix-related proteins and growth factors in the skin (lesional and non-lesional) of a female patient with the reticular variant of MDE. METHODS: Real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry was performed for matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, decorin, biglycan, versican, fibronectin, elastin, extracellular matrix protein 1, cathepsin G, transforming growth factor ß1 and connective tissue growth factor. RESULTS: Although protein expression of decorin, biglycan and versican was reduced in the mid dermis of lesional skin, mRNA expression did not differ between lesional and non-lesional skin. As expected, elastin expression was significantly diminished in the mid dermis of lesional skin, whereas mRNA expression levels of elastin were equal to non-lesional skin. Immunoreactivity of MMP-1 was increased in lesional upper and mid dermis. Accordingly, MMP-1 mRNA was also significantly higher expressed in MDE when compared with non-lesional skin. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm data of the previous investigations indicating that increased MMP-1 activity followed by elastin degradation seems to constitute the pathogenetic background of MDE.