title: Angiogenic cytokines and growth factors in systemic sclerosis.
abstract: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder characterized by a widespread microangiopathy, autoimmunity and fibrosis of the skin and of various internal organs. Microangiopathy is characterized by a reduced capillary density and an irregular chaotic architecture that lead to chronic tissue hypoxia. Despite the hypoxic conditions, there is no evidence for a sufficient compensative angiogenesis in SSc. Furthermore, vasculogenesis is also impaired. An imbalance between angiogenic and angiostatic factors might explain the pathogenetic mechanisms of SSc vasculopathy. As far as angiogenic factors are concerned, within the most important are vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factor -2 (FGF-2), angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1), stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1/CXCL12), endothelin-1 (ET-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein -1 (MCP-1), urokinase type plasminogen activator receptors (uPAR) and kallikreins, vascular adhesion molecules. On the other hand, angiostatic factors include: endostatin, angiostatin, thrombospodin-1 (TSP-1), angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2). Our knowledge concerning the dysregulation of angiogenic homeostasis is largely incomplete and needs further research, for the future.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila, Italy. Vasiliki_liakouli@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Liakouli
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cipriani
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marrelli
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alvaro
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruscitti
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giacomelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins