B-cell depletion therapy in patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis associates with a significant decrease in PDGFR expression and activation in spindle-like cells in the skin.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Recently, several studies assessing the clinical efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) have reported encouraging results. We aimed at exploring whether RTX exerts its beneficial effects on fibrosis through attenuation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) pathway activation.

Methods

We immunohistochemically assessed skin biopsies obtained from eight patients with SSc prior to and 6 months following RTX treatment, three control SSc patients (at the same time points) and three healthy subjects. We assessed the expression of platelet-derived growth factor, PDGFR and phosphorylated (activated) PDGFR.

Results

We found a strong correlation of PDGFRα and PDGFRβ expression on spindle-like cells and collagen deposition in SSc biopsie

SUBMITTER: Daoussis D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3446529 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature