Connective Tissue Degeneration: Mechanisms of Palmar Fascia Degeneration (Dupuytren's Disease)

Dupuytren's disease: a localised and accessible human fibrotic disorder

We review the biology of Dupuytren's disease (DD), a common localised fibrotic disorder of the hand. The disease develops through a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, and epigenetic signalling. The early-stage disease nodules comprise a complex milieu of stromal and immune cells which interact to promote disease development. Recently, inhibition of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) locally resulted in softening and a decrease in nodule size, potentially controlling disease progression. Unlike fibrotic disorders of the visceral organs, the easy access to tissue in DD patients enables dissection of the cellular landscape and molecular signalling pathways. In addition, the study of DD may have wider benefits in enhancing our understanding of less-accessible fibrotic tissues.

Verteporfin ameliorates fibrotic aspects of Dupuytren's disease nodular fibroblasts irrespective the activation state of the cells

Dupuytren’s disease is a chronic, progressive fibroproliferative condition of the hand fascia which results in digital contraction. So far, treatments do not directly interfere with the (myo)fibroblasts that are responsible for the formation of the collagen-rich cords and its contraction. Here we investigated whether verteporfin (VP) is able to inhibit the activation and subsequent differentiation of DD nodular fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Fibroblasts were isolated from nodules of 7 Dupuytren patients. Cells are treated (1) for 48 h with 5 ng/ml transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) followed by 48 h with/without 250 nM VP in the absence of TGF-β1, or treated (2) for 48 h with TGF-β1 followed by 48 h with/without VP in the presence of TGF-β1. mRNA levels were measured by means of Real-Time PCR, and proteins were visualized by means of Western blotting and/or immunofluorescence. Quantitative data were statistically analyzed with GraphPad Prism using the paired t-test. We found that fibroblasts activated for 48 h with TGF-β1 show a decrease in mRNA levels of COL1A1, COL3A1, COL4A1, PLOD2, FN1EDA, CCN2 and SERPINE1 when exposed for another 48 h with VP, whereas no decrease is seen for ACTA2, YAP1, SMAD2 and SMAD3 mRNA levels. Cells exposed for an additional 48 h with TGF-β1, but now in the presence of VP, are not further activated anymore, whereas in the absence of VP the cells continue to differentiate into myofibroblasts. Collagen type I, fibronectin-extra domain A, α-smooth muscle actin, YAP1, Smad2 and Smad3 protein levels were attenuated by both VP treatments. We conclude that VP has strong anti-fibrotic properties: it is able to halt the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and is also able to reverse the activation status of fibroblasts. The decreased protein levels of YAP1, Smad2 and Smad3 in the presence of VP explain in part the strong anti-fibrotic properties of VP. Verteporfin is clinically used as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy to eliminate abnormal blood vessels in the eye to attenuate macular degeneration. The antifibrotic properties of VP do not rely on photo-activation, as we used the molecule in its non-photoinduced state.

Basic science approaches to common hand surgery problems

The field of hand surgery is constantly evolving to meet challenges of populations with increasing age and higher demands for active living. While our surgical care has improved over the last decades, it seems that future major improvement in outcomes of clinical treatment will come through advances in biologics and the translation of major discoveries in basic science. This article aims to provide an update on where basic science solutions may answer some of the most critical issues in hand surgery, with a focus on augmentation of tissue repair.

Case Report: Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising From the Ulcer of the Lesions of Dupuytren's Disease on the Palm

Dupuytren's disease is a benign fibromatosis that mainly involves the fascia of the palm and digits. The relationship between Dupuytren's disease and the evolution of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is still unclear. Here we report the case of a 52-year-old female with squamous cell carcinoma arising from the ulcer of the lesions of Dupuytren's disease on the left palm. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in the English literature of squamous cell carcinoma on the palm of someone with Dupuytren's disease.

Distal sensory disorders in Dupuytren's disease

PURPOSE

Dupuytren's disease is a common and disabling condition. Its pathophysiology is not well understood. Some patients complain of postoperative loss of fingertip sensitivity that could be due either to the surgery or to the disease itself. Our hypothesis is that distal sensory disorders are a component of Dupuytren's disease.

METHODS

We performed a prospective, single-center study to compare two populations: controls and patients with Dupuytren's disease. Subjects were excluded if they were under 18 years of age or had any disease or treatment that could alter finger sensitivity or test comprehension. Sensitivity was determined using Weber's static two-point discrimination test. Each ray of the tested hand in the Dupuytren's patients was classified as healthy or diseased; the diseased rays were graded using the Tubiana stages and the type of involvement (pure digital, pure palmar, palmar-digital).

RESULTS

The study enrolled 56 patients in two comparable groups of 28 patients and 28 controls. A statistically significant difference was found between the affected hands of Dupuytren's patients and the hands of the controls. There was also a significant difference in the mean sensitivity of affected and normal rays in the Dupuytren's patients.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative distal sensory disorders are a component of Dupuytren's disease that could be related to neuropathy and/or mechanical nerve compression.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, case-control study, diagnostic study.