title: Progressive systemic sclerosis: autoimmune arteriopathy.
abstract: In a case of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), widespread deposition of IgM was found in the media and internal elastic lamina of small muscular arteries. IgA and C3 were also found in some vessels. Antibody eluted from the kidney bound to smooth muscle and elastica of small arteries. These findings suggest that PSS is a vasculopathy which is mediated by complement-fixing antibodies.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D003176:Complement C3; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007075:Immunoglobulin M