HLA-DQB1*0301 was significantly associated with SSc per se in all 3 ethnic groups; HLA-DRB1*11 correlated with the anti-topoisomerase I antibody response, and HLA-DRB1*01, DRB1*04, and DQB1*0501 with ACA.
Gelatinase A is a specific basement membrane degrading enzyme, so increased gelatinase activity may be related to the pathophysiology of SSc by initiating microvascular damage and leakage of substances capable of producing further endothelial cell damage or fibroblast activation.
ST3Gal I and ST6Gal I expressions were lower in patients with SSc than in healthy controls (median 0.48 vs 1.30, p < 0.0001, and 0.71 vs 1.96, p < 0.01, respectively).
CD19 expression levels in peripheral blood B cells were significantly elevated in both naive (P = 0.0029) and memory (P = 0.0022) B cells from patients with SSc who had the -499T allele as compared with those without the -499T allele.
Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) is a profibrotic cytokine that stimulates excessive collagen production in patients with scleroderma or other fibrotic diseases.
TSP-1 blocking peptide or antisense oligonucleotide had an inhibitory effect on the up-regulated alpha2I collagen and phosopho-Smad3 levels in scleroderma fibroblasts but had little effects on normal fibroblasts.
TSP-1 blocking peptide or antisense oligonucleotide had an inhibitory effect on the up-regulated alpha2I collagen and phosopho-Smad3 levels in scleroderma fibroblasts but had little effects on normal fibroblasts.
TSP-1 blocking peptide or antisense oligonucleotide had an inhibitory effect on the up-regulated alpha2I collagen and phosopho-Smad3 levels in scleroderma fibroblasts but had little effects on normal fibroblasts.
TAP1 and TAP2 gene polymorphisms were associated with different subsets of SSc: TAP1*A/A genotype with anti-topo I-positive dcSSc (p = 0.01, p corrected = 0.04), TAP2*A1/C genotype with anti-topo I-positive lcSSc (p < 0.05), TAP2*Bky2 and *C alleles with anti-topo I-negative dcSSc (both p < 0.05), and TAP2*B/E genotype with anti-topo I-negative lcSSc (p = 0.004).
Interleukin 4 and prolonged hypoxia induce a higher gene expression of lysyl hydroxylase 2 and an altered cross-link pattern: important pathogenetic steps in early and late stage of systemic scleroderma?