Abstract: Objective To investigate the role of transforming growth factors(TGF-β1 and β2) in the pathogenesis of scleroderma(SD). Methods The mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and β2 in the skin lesions from 17 patients with SD and skin from 10 normal controls were detected with in situ RT-PCR technique. Results A higher positive rate and stronger expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in SD skin lesions were seen, compared with those in controls(P<0.05).The difference of TGF-β2 mRNA expression between SD patients and controls was not significant (P>0.05).The higher positive rate and stronger expression of TGF-β1 mRNA than TGF-β2 mRNA in SD were seen(P<0.05). Conclusion TGF-β1 mRNA is expressed intensely in the SD lesions, which implies that it may be involved in the pathogenesis of SD.

Key words: Scleroderma, Transforming growth factor beta