Vascular abnormalities in scleroderma.
Vascular abnormalities represent a fundamental event in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. This review focuses on key observations that support this view and builds a framework with which to clarify our understanding of how endothelial cell damage may trigger a self-fueling process ending in pathological tissue fibrosis in those susceptible to scleroderma. The studies reviewed in this article pertain to systemic sclerosis patients.
Herron
G S
GS
Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
Romero
L I
LI
D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction; D014664:Vasodilation