TGF-β drives myofibroblast activation and inflammatory mediator production in vulvar lichen sclerosus.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by whitening of the external genitalia, debilitating pruritus (itching), and pain. As disease advances, loss of labia, burying of vulvar anatomy (ie, clitoris, urethra, vaginal opening), and vulvar cancer can occur, yet mechanistic understanding of these events remains limited. VLS lesions appear visibly similar to scars and are frequently referred to as such. Therefore, we investigated the role of fibrosis in the VLS disease mechanism with the goal of identifying targets for new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.

Study design

6-mm biopsies were collected from 8 participants with VLS from regions of the vulva visibly affected by lichen sclerosus ("scarred") and adjacent unaffec

SUBMITTER: Fischer SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12271616 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature