Animal models in scleroderma

Scleroderma or systemic sclerosis is an insidious connective tissue disease with no known cure. A hallmark feature of scleroderma is the excess synthesis and deposition of collagen resulting in a fibrotic state. In scleroderma, fibrosis is not confined only to the skin but impacts internal organs as well. In an effort to better understand the pathophysiology of this disease, researchers have developed a variety of animal models that display features of the human condition. This paper focuses on mouse models of scleroderma and summarizes work conducted with these experimental paradigms that is focused on understanding the cellular and molecular events associated with the onset and maintenance of fibrosis.