title: CD8+ T cells in systemic sclerosis.
abstract: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive and highly debilitating autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular damage of the connective tissue. T cell-derived cytokines have been implicated in the induction of fibrosis. We found that high levels of the profibrotic type-2 cytokine IL-13 are produced by peripheral blood effector CD8(+) T cells from SSc patients compared to normal controls. This abnormality correlates with increased expression of the transcription factor GATA-3 and the extent of skin fibrosis. Together, the data provide new insights into SSc pathogenesis and identify a specific T cell phenotype that can be used as a biomarker of immune dysfunction in patients with SSc and as a novel therapeutic target for this currently incurable disease.
authors: Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, BST W1052, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. paf23@pitt.edu
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Fuschiotti
mesh_terms: D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines