Histogenesis of Dupuytren's disease: an immunohistochemical study of 30 cases.

Thirty-seven specimens from the hands of 30 patients with Dupuytren's disease were examined by light microscopy after immunohistochemical staining for the presence of desmin intermediate filaments. Results indicated that desmin-positive cells were present in the proliferative Dupuytren's nodules, and that the number of desmin-positive cells decreased significantly in the fibrous phase of the disease. Also, on the basis of the pattern of distribution of the desmin-positive cells around vessels, we postulate that the desmin-positive cells in Dupuytren's nodules were migrating perivascular smooth muscle cells from the vessel wall. The exact fate of these cells is uncertain, but we hypothesize that these displaced perivascular smooth muscle cells are capable of transforming into collagen-producing, desmin-negative myofibroblasts that form the cellular basis of Dupuytren's lesions.