Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing-1 Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1-Induced Collagen Type I Expression In Keloid

P>BackgroundThe pathogenesis of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is not clearly understood. The nomenclature suggests an important role for the apocrine glands but recent evidence implicates the pilosebaceous unit as a more likely candidate to play a central role in the pathogenesis.ObjectivesOur aim was to estimate the volume of the follicular epithelium, the follicular lumen and the sebaceous glands of patients with HS and healthy controls by means of stereology.MethodsFour-millimetre punch biopsies were taken from 21 patients with HS and nine healthy controls, fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin and stained with haematoxylin and eosin prior to volume estimation using the Cavalieri principle.ResultsSebaceous gland tissue could be visualized in only 10 of 15 suitable hair follicle biopsies from patients with HS but was present in all biopsies from healthy controls (P = 0 center dot 05) and the mean sebaceous gland volume per follicle was one-seventh of that of healthy controls (P = 0 center dot 03). There was no significant difference between patients with HS and healthy controls with regard to follicular epithelium and follicle lumen volume.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the absence or reduced volume of the sebaceous gland may play a role in the pathogenesis of HS. The presence of fibrosis suggests that sebaceous glands are obliterated early in the pathogenesis of HS.