Immunotherapy-refractory vacuolar myopathy with mucin deposition in scleromyxedema: A possible role of fibroblast growth factor 2

Yuki Yanagihara, Shintaro Hayashi, Junpei Koge, Hiroyuki Honda, Ryo Yamasaki, Yuichi Yamada, Yoshinao Oda, Toru Iwaki, Jun ichi Kira

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Scleromyxedema (SME) is characterized by widespread waxy papules on the skin, with mucin deposits in the upper dermis. Twenty-one SME cases of myopathy have been reported; of the cases, six showed vacuolar formation, and two showed mucin deposition. We report the first case of SME with mucin-associated vacuolated fibers. A 45-year-old woman with SME developed progressive proximal muscle weakness. Muscle biopsy revealed myopathic changes with numerous vacuoles linked to mucin in the affected muscle fibers, which were heavily immunostained for fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). Despite repeated high dose oral prednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin administrations, muscle weakness recurred continuingly, culminating in death due to congestive heart failure. Immunotherapy was partly effective in our case, although it was refractory. Treatment responsiveness in patients with SME myopathy varied; however, due to its rarity, the mechanism remains to be elucidated. To address this issue, we investigated muscle specimens immunohistochemically and detected marked upregulation of FGF2 in the affected muscle fibers of our patient. FGF2, a strong myogenesis inhibitor, may exert a suppressive effect on muscle fiber regeneration, which may have conferred refractoriness to our patient's SME myopathy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)492-495
Number of pages4
JournalNeuropathology
Volume40
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-10-2020
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Clinical Neurology

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