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A Comparative Analysis to Dissect the Histological and Molecular Differences among Lipedema, Lipohypertrophy and Secondary Lymphedema
Resource type
Authors/contributors
- Von Atzigen, Julia (Author)
- Burger, Anna (Author)
- Grünherz, Lisanne (Author)
- Barbon, Carlotta (Author)
- Felmerer, Gunther (Author)
- Giovanoli, Pietro (Author)
- Lindenblatt, Nicole (Author)
- Wolf, Stefan (Author)
- Gousopoulos, Epameinondas (Author)
Title
A Comparative Analysis to Dissect the Histological and Molecular Differences among Lipedema, Lipohypertrophy and Secondary Lymphedema
Abstract
Lipedema, lipohypertrophy and secondary lymphedema are three conditions characterized by disproportionate subcutaneous fat accumulation affecting the extremities. Despite the apparent similarities and differences among their phenotypes, a comprehensive histological and molecular comparison does not yet exist, supporting the idea that there is an insufficient understanding of the conditions and particularly of lipohypertrophy. In our study, we performed histological and molecular analysis in anatomically-, BMI- and gender-matched samples of lipedema, lipohypertrophy and secondary lymphedema versus healthy control patients. Hereby, we found a significantly increased epidermal thickness only in patients with lipedema and secondary lymphedema, while significant adipocyte hypertrophy was identified in both lipedema and lipohypertrophy. Interestingly, the assessment of lymphatic vessel morphology showed significantly decreased total area coverage in lipohypertrophy versus the other conditions, while VEGF-D expression was significantly decreased across all conditions. The analysis of junctional genes often associated with permeability indicated a distinct and higher expression only in secondary lymphedema. Finally, the evaluation of the immune cell infiltrate verified the increased CD4+ cell and macrophage infiltration in lymphedema and lipedema respectively, without depicting a distinct immune cell profile in lipohypertrophy. Our study describes the distinct histological and molecular characteristics of lipohypertrophy, clearly distinguishing it from its two most important differential diagnoses.
Publication
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume
24
Issue
8
Pages
7591
Date
2023-04-20
Journal Abbr
IJMS
Language
en
ISSN
1422-0067
Accessed
4/24/23, 1:55 PM
Library Catalog
DOI.org (Crossref)
Lipedema Foundation Award
LF27A
Citation
Von Atzigen, J., Burger, A., Grünherz, L., Barbon, C., Felmerer, G., Giovanoli, P., Lindenblatt, N., Wolf, S., & Gousopoulos, E. (2023). A Comparative Analysis to Dissect the Histological and Molecular Differences among Lipedema, Lipohypertrophy and Secondary Lymphedema. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(8), 7591. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087591
Publication
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