Aberrant Chitinase 3-Like 1 Expression in Basal Cells Contributes to Systemic Sclerosis Fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by extensive skin and internal organ fibrosis. However, the mechanism underlying fibrosis remains unclear, and effective treatments for halting or reversing fibrosis are lacking. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing is used to obtain a comprehensive overview of skin cells from patients with SSc and healthy controls. A subset of basal cells with high chitinase 3-like 1 (Chi3L1) expression, which potentially plays an important role in fibroblast activation, is identified in SSc. Subsequently, patients with SSc are present with increased expression of Chi3L1 in the skin and serum, and elevated serum levels are associated with skin induration and pulmonary function. Furthermore, Chi3L1 promoted the differentiation of SSc derm

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11809421 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature