Systemic Sclerosis: Is the Epithelium a Missing Piece of the Pathogenic Puzzle?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem connective tissue disease characterized by three cardinal pathological features, such as autoimmunity/inflammation, vasculopathy and extensive organ fibrosis. Therefore, numerous interests have been put on the roles of immune cells, vascular cells (endothelial cells and pericytes/vascular smooth muscle cells) and interstitial fibroblasts as well as their precursors in the field of SSc research. However, recent studies with clinical samples and animal models have drawn much attention to the potential role of epithelial cells as a member of critical drivers and/or modifiers in the pathogenesis of SSc.
Source: Journal of Dermatological Science - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Invited Review Article Source Type: research