
Scleroderma is an autoimmune
disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin. The prognosis for patients diagnosed with scleroderma is not typically a rosy
one. With limited treatment options available, those suffering from the
disorder can face disabling hardening and tightening of their skin.
Scleroderma can also affect the blood vessels, lungs and other internal
organs.
New and ongoing research at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York
City has identified a possible mechanism behind the fibrosis that
occurs in scleroderma - a mechanism that may one day lead to a treatment
for the disease.
Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the study reports that in laboratory research, a population of stem cells called "adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs)" is reduced in number in the layer of fat sitting under the skin. It appears that loss of these ADSCs may contribute to the skin fibrosis characteristic of scleroderma.
"Injecting ADSCs is being tried in scleroderma; the possibility of stimulating the lymphotoxin B pathway to increase the survival of these stem cells is very exciting," says lead study author Theresa T. Lu. "By uncovering these mechanisms and targeting them with treatments, perhaps one day we can better treat the disease."
Dr. Lu also feels this strategy could be used to target stem-cells from other tissue sources in order to treat rheumatological and other conditions - such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis - and also to facilitate bone and cartilage repair.
In the coming years, Dr. Lu and her colleagues hope to test the applicability of their work in human cells, which could provide scleroderma patients with a welcome treatment option if proven safe and effective. "Improving ADSC therapy would be a major benefit to the field of rheumatology and to patients suffering from scleroderma," she says.
Source: Eurekalert
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