Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Vasodilation of Isolated Vessels and the Isolation of the Extracellular Matrix of Tight-skin Mice
Published on: March 24, 2017
Interferons and scleroderma-a new clue to understanding the pathogenesis of scleroderma?
Luiz Felipe Leomil Coelho1, Jaquelline Germano de Oliveira, Erna Geessien Kroon
1Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Parasitologia e Microbiologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Brazil. luleomil@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Scleroderma or systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disease characterized by vasculopathy and deregulated immune and fibroblast activation. The resulting excessive production of collagens and other extracellular matrix proteins by fibroblasts as well as the inflammatory response leads to the development of scleroderma. Recently, some emerging data have been showing a possible link between the type I and II interferons (IFNs) and SSc pathogenesis. IFNs are well-known immunomodulators and inhibitors of collagen production. However, IFN therapy also has been implicated in the development or exacerbation of several autoimmune diseases, including SSc. Some studies also showed an increase mRNA and protein levels of IFNs and several interferon stimulated genes in cells and tissues from SSc patients. In this review we discuss about a possible role for IFNs in SSc development and pathogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Chronic Inflammation: Introduction
Autoimmune Disorders
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...
Antimicrobial Proteins
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
