Role of IL-4 in collagen synthesis of allogeneic stimulated fibroblasts

Chronic GvHD is important for the long-term outcome of patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Chronic sclerodermatous GvHD is similar to autoimmune scleroderma in clinical and histological characteristics. In patients with autoimmune scleroderma, disease activity correlates closely with extended collagen synthesis. To elucidate the mechanisms of extended collagen synthesis in patients with csGvHD fibroblasts were cocultured with primed non-adherent mononuclear cells from healthy donors in the presence/absence of certain stimuli. Collagen synthesis was measured by specific RIA for the N-terminal pro…