INTERACTION OF GROWTH-FACTORS AND EXTRACE LLULAR-MATRIX IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMIC SCLERODERMA

In recent years advanced techniques in molecular biology and immunohis tochemistry have revealed novel pathways in the pathophysiology of pro gressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Complex cellular processes such as proliferative and upregulated matrix synthesis are considered keystone s for the enhanced deposition of matrix components in lesions of patie nts suffering from PSS. There are numerous indications that these proc esses are the result of a dysregulation in cell metabolism due to an a ctivation of certain gene sequences in PSS fibroblasts. In addition, a dhesion molecules facilitate the increase of immunocompetent cells and therefore support autoimmunity and inflammation in PSS lesions.