Figure 4
Expression of Thy-1 is increased in dcSSc skin. Cryosections from (a,b) normal and (c,d) dcSSc were stained for Thy-1 expression. In normal skin, immunostaining for Thy-1 was predominantly located within the microvascular wall and immediate perivascular region ((a,b) arrows). Thy-1 staining of interstitial fibroblasts was also detected ((b) arrowhead). In dcSSc skin, immunostaining of fibroblastic cells was considerably more pronounced throughout the interstitial dermis ((c) arrows) while perivascular immunostaining in dcSSc skin ((d) arrow) was less pronounced than that observed in normal skin ((b) arrow). dcSSc, diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.