Systemic sclerosis- (SSc-) related vasculopathy, as manifested by Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP) and digital ulcers (DUs), is associated with significant impairment of the quality of life and morbidity. The current vasoactive approach for SSc-RP, although employing vasodilators, is entirely off-label. PDE-5 inhibitors improve peripheral circulation, are well tolerated, and are widely used for variou...

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with increased risk of malignancy. The organ systems most commonly affected are the lungs, the breasts and the hematological system. Risk factors predisposing a SSc patient for development of malignancy are not well defined, and the pathogenic basis of the association is yet to be explained. The incidence of malignancies in SSc patients is variable from on...

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by tissue fibrosis, vasculopathy and autoimmunity. Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) plays a pivotal role in immunological tolerance modulating regulatory T cell (Treg) generation and function. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IDO gene could impact on Treg function and predispose to autoimmunity. Here, the existence of an association between sp...

Peripheral microvascular impairment in systemic sclerosis (SSc) may be easily detected and scored in a safe noninvasive way by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC). The paper highlights clinical conditions related to SSc in which NVC may represent an outcome measure of therapeutical interventions, by elaborating on their already assessed relationship with the NVC patterns and eventually scores. T...

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by peripheral circulatory disturbance and fibrosis in skin visceral organs. We recently demonstrated that ?2-antiplasmin (?2AP) elevated SSc dermal fibroblasts model mice, associated with progression vascular dysfunction. In the present study, we predicted ?2AP could be a target of microRNA-30c (miR-30c) using TargetScan online database, investigated ef...

The factors responsible for maintaining persistent organ fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are not known but emerging evidence implicates toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the pathogenesis of SSc. Here we show the expression, mechanism of action and pathogenic role of endogenous TLR activators in skin from patients with SSc, skin fibroblasts, and in mouse models of organ fibrosis. Levels of tena...

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs frequently in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and SSc-associated interstitial lung (SSc-ILD). PPI use has to been shown improve survival idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, whereas date there are no data on the of SSc-ILD. Objectives: This study was aimed assess whether is associated progression SSc-ILD survival. Methods: We retrospect...

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease in which the tyrosine kinases platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and Abl are hypothesized to contribute to the fibrosis and vasculopathy of the skin and internal organs. Herein we describe 2 patients with early diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) who experienced reductions in cutaneous sclerosis in response to therapy with the tyrosine ki...

BACKGROUND L-selectin ligands are induced on the endothelium of inflammatory sites. L-selectin expression on neutrophils and monocytes may mediate the primary adhesion of these cells at sites of inflammation by mediating the leukocyte-leukocyte interactions that facilitate their recruitment. L-selectin retains functional activity in its soluble form. Levels of soluble L-selectin have been repor...

Correspondence to: Ka-Man Chan Abstract: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogenous multi-system connective tissue disorder with considerable morbidity and mortality. Assessment of the extent of skin disease is an essential part in the diagnosis and monitoring of SSc. Newer methods such as high frequency dermal ultrasound, durometry and elastometry provide high accuracy for skin assessment and ...