Objective. To determine the diagnostic value of the expression of collagen IV and vimentin in patients with limited scleroderma.

Materials and methods. Sonographically controlled (Toshiba Aplio XG scanner, sensors with a frequency range of 16—18 MHz) targeted biopsy of the skin and subcutaneous tissue was performed from areas with the most pronounced signs of inflammation and areas with the most pronounced signs of atrophy in 30 patients: 4 men (middle age 47.5±17.5 years, body mass index — 30.2±3.6) and 26 women (average age — 57.9±14.0 years, body mass index — 30.5±4.9). Further the expression of biomarkers Collagen IV, CD 34 and Vimentin was determined.

Results. A parallel increase in Iavg Collagen IV, Iavg CD34 and Iavg Vimentin is a sign of an increase in inflammatory activity (in the stage of erythema / edema, the ratio of the average values of Iavg Collagen IV / Iavg Vimentin in this sample was in the range of 1.06—1.1); a decrease in the indicator reflecting the ratio of the average values of Iavg Collagen IV / Iavg Vimentin to the level of 1.0, most likely indicates the transition of the process to the stage of sclerosis; a slight increase (or lack thereof) of Iavg Collagen IV indices with a simultaneous decrease in Iavg Vimentin indices indicates the transition of the process to the stage of atrophy (in this sample, the ratio of the average Iavg Collagen IV / Iavg Vimentin values with insignificant changes was 1.0, with moderately expressed changes ³1.2, with pronounced changes ³1.3).