Is TGF-β important for the evolution of subcutaneuos chronic mycoses?

SummaryJorge Lobo’s and chromoblastomycosis are chronic deep mycosis that clinically manifests as keloid and verrucous polymorphic lesions of solid consistency and variable size that contain small scales and crusts. Few studies are available in the literature characterizing the in situ cellular and humoral immune response, especially the involvement of cytokines which immunosuppressive and fibrogenic effects as the TGF-β. The hypothesis of the present paper is explaining the possible mechanism of this cytokine in cutaneous lesions pathology in chromoblastomycosis and lacaziosis (Jorge Lobo’s disease). The results of this investigation are a new hypothesis for ethiopatogenesis of these diseases: TGF-β is a double effect that follows fibrosis and immunosuppression in local skin.