Open AccessPathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
Author(s) -
Rosendahl AnnHelen,
Schönborn Katrin,
Krieg Thomas
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the kaohsiung journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.439
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2410-8650
pISSN - 1607-551X
DOI - 10.1002/kjm2.12505
Subject(s) - medicine , pathophysiology , scleroderma (fungus) , chemokine , autoantibody , immunology , fibrosis , immune system , systemic scleroderma , connective tissue , disease , pathology , antibody , inoculation
Abstract Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is an autoimmune‐triggered chronic fibrosing disease that affects the skin and many other organs. Its pathophysiology is complex and involves an early endothelial damage, an inflammatory infiltrate and a resulting fibrotic reaction. Based on a predisposing genetic background, an altered balance of the acquired and the innate immune system leads to the release of many cytokines and chemokines as well as autoantibodies, which induce the activation of fibroblasts with the formation of myofibroblasts and the deposition of a stiff and rigid connective tissue. A curative treatment is still not available but remarkable progress has been made in the management of organ complications. In addition, several breakthroughs in the pathophysiology have led to new therapeutic concepts. Based on these, many new compounds have been developed during the last years, which target these different pathways and offer specific therapeutic approaches.