Systemic Sclerosis : An Update on the Aberrant Immune System and Clinical Features

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or often referred to as Scleroderma (tight skin), is characterized by an exaggerated formation of collagen fibers in the skin, which leads to fibrosis. Accumulating evidence now points toward three pathological hallmarks that are implicated in Ssc, the order of which has yet to be determined: endothelial dysfunction, autoantibody formation, and activation of fibroblasts. This current book provides up-to-date information on the pathogenesis and clinical features of this severe syndrome. It is our hope that this book will aid both clinicians and researchers in dealing with patients with this clinical syndrome. In addition, we hope to shed more light on this rare and severely disabling syndrome, ultimately leading to better research and successful therapeutic targeting.