Macrophage infiltration in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis.

We stained skin specimens from 31 patients with systemic sclerosis with monoclonal antibodies to macrophages and T lymphocytes to characterize the cellular infiltrates. Not only T lymphocytes but macrophages were also identified, and macrophages were observed between collagen bundles as well as around skin adnexa and vessels. In addition, the ratio of macrophages to T lymphocytes was high, particularly in severely affected skin. There was no close relationship with disease duration. Our results suggest that cutaneous macrophages always play a role in scleroderma.