Migratory potential of dermal fibroblasts of patients with systemic sclerosis

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by fibroblast-mediated progressive skin fibrosis. Subsequent affection of internal organs leads to severe impairments of their function and lung fibrosis represents the most common cause of death in SSc. Molecular mechanisms of the spreading of SSc are largely unknown. Recent results showed the migratory potential of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fibroblasts (SFs). Based on these results, aim of this study was the analysis of migratory and adhesive properties of SSc dermal fibroblasts (DFs) and their role in SSc-spreading with focus on organ involvement.…