Stimulatory Autoantibodies to the PDGF Receptor in Systemic Sclerosis

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Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is characterized by immunologic abnormalities, injury of endothelial cells, and tissue fibrosis. Abnormal oxidative stress has been documented in scleroderma and linked to fibroblast activation. Since platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and since IgG from patients with scleroderma reacts with human fibroblasts, we tested the hypothesis that patients with scleroderma have serum autoantibodies that stimulate the PDGF receptor (PDGFR), activating collagen-gene expression.

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