[Relationship between the proliferation and immunoinduction of epithelial cells and the destruction of hair follicles and sebaceous glands in keloids].

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the influence of biological behavior of epithelial cells on the hair follicles and sebaceous glands (HFSG) structure in keloids (K). METHODS:The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, D-related human leucocyte antigen (HLA-DR), and cytokeratin (CK) 14 on epithelial cells and the amount of activity T-lymphocytes were detected in specimens of keloid edge and normal skin with immunohistochemical and histological methods. RESULTS:In comparison with normal skin specimens, epithelial cells were proliferated in K-HFSG presented structural aberration and disintegrate or abnormally to form solid-epithelial island-like structure, and the density of HSFG with hyperplasia and the ageing scar in keloids was apparently decreased. They strongly expressed ICAM-1, HLA-DR, and CK14 in the epithelial cells, there were many immunologic cells which expressed CD4, CD45RO, and interferon (IFN)-gamma around the K-HFSG. The expressed level of epithelial cells was positively correlated with the density of immunologic cells nearby K-HFSG. CONCLUSION:It could be concluded that the reactivity with hyperplasia and immunoinduction of epithelial cells might be associated with the destruction of the some HFSG structure in the keloids.