Scar Wars: Is TGFβ the Phantom Menace in Scleroderma?

Authors

Andrew Leask, University of Western OntarioFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-9-2006

Journal

Arthritis Research & Therapy

Volume

8

Issue

213

Abstract

The autoimmune disease scleroderma (systemic sclerosis (SSc)) is characterized by extensive tissue fibrosis, causing significant morbidity. There is no therapy for the fibrosis observed in SSc; indeed, the underlying cause of the scarring observed in this disease is unknown. Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) has long been hypothesized to be a major contributor to pathological fibrotic diseases, including SSc. Recently, the signaling pathways through which TGFβ activates a fibrotic program have been elucidated and, as a consequence, several possible points for anti-fibrotic drug intervention in SSc have emerged.

Notes

Published in: Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2006, 8:213. doi: 10.1186/ar1976