Immunohistochemical basing of the pathogenesis equality of varicose vein transformation in varicocele and varicose veins of the lower extremities

Background. Varicocele as well as varicose veins of the lower extremities are quite widespread. To date, the mechanisms of variceal transformation remain not completely clear.Aim. To study the immunohistochemical profile in order to substantiate the common pathogenesis of varicose veins transformation in varicocele and varicose veins of the lower limbs; to confirm the key role of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia syndrome in the development of these diseases.Materials and methods. Vein wall fragments from 24 male patients aged 6–35 years old divided into the corresponding groups: group 1–12 patients with varicocele, group 2–12 patients with varicose veins of the lower limbs. Control group – 5 practically healthy men (age 16–32 years). Immunohistochemical study was performed with monoclonal antibodies to collagen types III, IV, α-SMA, fibronectin, laminin, MMP-2 and MMP-9, TGF-β1.Results and discussion. Histological and immunohistochemical studies of vein wall biopsy specimens in both groups revealed similar morphological changes, different from the control group. When assessing the expression level of α-SMA in both study groups, there was marked expression in the bundles of hypertrophic smooth muscle cells (in the zone of wall thickening where fibrosis was minimal) and weak expression in the bundles of smooth muscle cells “enmeshed” in connective tissue sleeves. Collagen type III showed weak expression in the subintimal zone and between the bundles of superficially located smooth muscle cells in both study groups. Expression of type IV collagen was detected in the areas of wall thickening and hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells. In both groups there was a pronounced expression of fibronectin in the most altered sections of the vein walls, especially in the middle layer, around the bundles of smooth muscle cells. There was marked expression of MMP-2 in all layers of the wall, and overexpression of MMP-9 in the areas of wall thinning (in the subintimal zone and muscular layer). TGF-β1 overexpression was also detected in vein biopsy specimens from both groups, predominantly in areas of thinning and pronounced intermuscular fibrosis.Conclusion. Taking into account the similarity of immunohistochemical manifestations in the vein walls in varicocele and varicose veins of the lower limbs we can speak about the common morphogenetic mechanisms of their remodeling. Thus, we consider it possible to combine various forms of varicosity into a single disease – varicose vein disease.