Expression and Localization of Cathepsin B, D, and G in Dupuytren’s Disease
Authors: Kirin Tan, Helen D. Brasch, Bede van Schaijik, James R. Armstrong, Reginald W. Marsh, Paul F. Davis, Swee T. Tan and Tinte Itinteang
Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Global Open 2018. Volume 6,
doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001686
Dupuytren’s disease is a slowly developing condition involving the palm of the hand. Knots of tissue (nodules) form, which eventually grow into cords that pull one or more fingers into a bent position. These affected fingers cannot be straightened, restricting a person performing a number of activities.
The current management of the disease involves either injections of steroids or collagenase or surgery but, nonetheless, recurrence is up to 70%. While the cause of the condition is uncertain, we have identified embryo stem cell-like cells in it. These cells have been shown to express constituents of the renin-angiotensin system. Our findings suggest that these stem cells might give rise to the condition and that regulating the renin-angiotensin system may have a role in its treatment.
The production of the angiotensin II component of the renin-angiotensin system may be promoted by the proteases cathepsins B, D and G. This paper establishes the presence of these three proteases in Dupuytren’s disease tissues and demonstrates that the B and D forms are localised to the stem cells which are known to express the renin-angiotensin system.
