Contraction of collagen lattices by skin fibroblasts from dystrophic recessive epidermolysis bullosa and other dermatoses.

Skin fibroblasts incorporated into a lattice of hydrated collagen contract it to form a tissue-like structure. Fibroblasts from patients with skin diseases, including psoriasis, epidermolysis bullosa, and scleroderma, and from control subjects, all showed a similar ability to contract the lattice. The established skin epithelial cell line NCTC 2544, melanoma cells, and 3T6 mouse fibroblasts produced little contraction. Contraction required the presence of serum and was unaffected by the addition of fibronectin (10-20 micrograms/ml). Hyaluronic acid at 50-500 micrograms/ml had no effect, but contraction was inhibited at 1 mg/ml.