IMMUNOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES IN SCLERODERMA

The immune system abnormalities of scleroderma are diverse and in asso ciation with vascular and mesenchymal cell abnormalities, contribute t o the organ system dysfunction and clinical expression of the disease. Recent insights into novel immune regulatory pathways, immune reactiv ity to self-antigens, and the potential association of persistent feta l cells and disease expression may serve to increase our understanding of this enigmatic disease. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Compan y.