Characterization of dermal collagen in systemic sclerosis.

The amount of dermal collagen is increased in systemic sclerosis. However, unlike certain inflammatory conditions, the relative proportions of Type I and Type III collagens are closely similar to those found in normal adult dermis. Similarly, no change in the distribution of the collagen types could be detected by immunofluorescent staining, although a considerable thickening of the epidermis was clearly evident in all the sclerotic lesions examined.