Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Results in Impaired Epidermal Differentiation and Tight Junction Dysfunction.

ABSTRACT: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is characterized by skin changes, swelling, fibrosis, and recurrent skin infections. Clinical studies have suggested that lymphedema results in skin barrier defects; however, the underlying cellular mechanisms and the effects of bacterial contamination on skin barrier function remain unknown. In matched biopsies from patients with unilateral BCRL, we observed decreased expression of FLG and the tight junction protein ZO-1 in skin affected by moderate lymphedema or by subclinical lymphedema in which dermal backflow of lymph was identified by indocyanine green lymphography, relative to those in the controls (areas without backflow and from the unaffected arm). In vitro stimulation of keratinocytes with lymph fluid obtained from patients undergoing lymp

SUBMITTER: Campbell AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12043072 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature