Abstract Number: 1501 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Increased Periostin Levels in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis
Background/Purpose: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) results in significant morbidity and mortality due to organ fibrosis characterized by increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Periostin is one…Abstract Number: 1502 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Hedgehog Signaling in Murine Chronic Sclerodermatous Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Background/Purpose: Sclerodermatous chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) is a prognosis limiting complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. cGvHD can manifest on virtually every organ system. However,…Abstract Number: 1503 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Effect of Thiol Antioxidants On the Profibrotic Phenotype of Scleroderma Dermal Fibroblasts
Background/Purpose: Systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma, SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy and fibrosis of the skin and organs. Increase in superoxide production and…Abstract Number: 1504 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
A Possible Contribution of Visfatin to the Resolution of Skin Sclerosis in Patients with Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis Via a Direct Anti-Fibrotic Effect On Dermal Fibroblasts and Th1 Polarization of the Immune Response
Background/Purpose: Our latest studies have demonstrated that adipocytokines, including adiponectin, apelin, and retinol-binding protein-4, are potentially involved in the development of complicated clinical symptoms associated…Abstract Number: 1505 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Inactivation of Tankyrases Ameliorates Canonical Wnt Signaling and Prevents Experimental Fibrosis
Background/Purpose: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by aberrant activation of fibroblasts with increased release of extracellular matrix components. Canonical Wnt signaling has recently emerged as…Abstract Number: 1506 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Primary Human Scleroderma Dermal Endothelial Cells Exhibit Defective Angiogenesis
Background/Purpose: Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, plays a critical role in a number of pathological processes including systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc). SSc is…Abstract Number: 1507 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Propylthiouracil Reduces Fibrosis in Chronic Oxidant Stress Mouse Model of Scleroderma
Background/Purpose: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by fibrosis of skin and visceral organs; vascular damage and resultant ischemia; and immunological dysregulation manifested by autoantibodies. Hypothyroidism,…Abstract Number: 1508 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Simvastatin Attenuates Pulmonary Fibrosis in a Murine Model of Systemic Sclerosis
Background/Purpose: Simvastatin is best known for its antilipidemic action due to its inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoenzymeA (HMG CoA) reductase. Inhibition of biological precursors in this pathway also…Abstract Number: 1509 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Correlates of Skin Gene Expression Profile in Systemic Sclerosis
Background/Purpose: Skin global gene expression profiling indicates presence of distinct gene expression signatures in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We examine the correlation of the…Abstract Number: 1510 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Critical Role of the Adhesion Receptor Dnax Accessory Molecule-1 (DNAM-1) in the Development of Inflammation-Driven Dermal Fibrosis in Mouse Model of Systemic Sclerosis
Background/Purpose: DNAX accessory molecule 1 (DNAM-1) is an adhesion factor involved in the adhesion and co-stimulation of T cells. DNAM-1 has been recently identified as…Abstract Number: 1511 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Low Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cell Levels and High VEGF Serum Levels Are Associated with the Late Nailfold Capillaroscopic Pattern in Systemic Sclerosis
Background/Purpose: To assess whether nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) changes are associated with peripheral blood or serum levels of angiogenic biomarkers in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: Endothelial…Abstract Number: 1512 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Bleomycin Delivery by Osmotic Pump: A Superior Model for Human ILD
Background/Purpose: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) represents a group of chronic, progressive, irreversible diseases associated with pulmonary fibrosis, including systemic sclerosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In…Abstract Number: 1513 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
TSLP Receptor Deficiency Reduces IL-13 Expression and Prevents Fibrosis in Experimental Scleroderma
Background/Purpose: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Although SSc shares pathogenetic features with other…Abstract Number: 1514 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Differences in the Activation Levels and Expression Patterns of the Molecular Targets of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors May Account for the Heterogeneous Treatment Responses
Background/Purpose: In SSc, treatment responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are less distinct compared to animal models. Therefore, we assessed whether the heterogeneous therapeutic effects…Abstract Number: 1515 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Pharmacological Blockade of Adenosine A2A Receptors (A2AR) Prevents Radiation-Induced Dermal Injury
Background/Purpose: Ionizing radiation is a commonly used therapeutic modality and following irradiation dermal changes, including fibrosis and atrophy, may lead to such problems as contractures.…