[Vascular lesions and fibroblast metabolism in inflammatory diseases]

Alterations of the vascular endothelium are frequent in sclerodermis and are manifested by signs of tissue repair. In these patients, the serum seems to contain a cytotoxic component while their platelets are very adhesive to the collagen. During the phase of activity of the disease, sclerodermic fibroblasts show an increased collagen biosynthesis. The vascular lesion could be responsible for the migration of mobile cells of which the mediators (lymphokins, monokins, PDGF, etc...) would activate the fibrocytes.