Abstract
Activated T cells, B cells, and nonspecific inflammatory cells cause tissue damage in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Of these activated cells, the T cells play a central role. Soluble mediators and cellular cytotoxicity are major mechanisms of activating or damaging fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and other vascular cells in SSc. Certain autoantibody targets are specific for SSc, and some targets are homologous to viruses. At this time, however, the contributions of antibodies to tissue damage in SSc patients are less apparent than the contributions of cellular immunity.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 695-708 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - 1996 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Rheumatology