Elephantiasis, elastin, and chronic wound healing: 19th century and contemporary viewpoints relevant to hypotheses concerning lymphedema, leprosy, erysipelas, and psoriasis--review and reflections.

Abstract

Both wound healing and lymphedema have fibrosis of the skin in common. They also share destruction of elastin by elastases from neutrophils as a significant feature. These are not new observations, and the writings of Unna and Kaposi are recalled. The contemporary observations on elastin by Gerli and his team are discussed in the light of these much earlier opinions.

• Authors: T J Ryan
• Journal: Lymphology (Lymphology) Vol. 42 Issue 1 Pg. 19-25 (Mar 2009) ISSN: 0024-7766 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19499764 (Publication Type: Historical Article, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Elastin

Topics

• Elastin (history)
• Elephantiasis (etiology, history, therapy)
• Erysipelas (diagnosis, history)
• History, 19th Century
• Humans
• Leprosy (diagnosis, history)
• Psoriasis (diagnosis, history, therapy)