title: Perivascular Cells in Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis Overexpress Activated ADAM12 and Are Involved in Myofibroblast Transdifferentiation and Development of Fibrosis.
abstract: Microvascular damage is pivotal in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), preceding fibrosis, and whose trigger is not still fully understood. Perivascular progenitor cells, with profibrotic activity and function, are identified by the expression of the isoform 12 of ADAM (ADAM12) and this molecule may be upregulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The goal of this work was to evaluate whether pericytes in the skin of patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) expressed ADAM12, suggesting their potential contribution to the fibrotic process, and whether TGF-β might modulate this molecule.
  
  
  
  After ethical approval, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and fibroblasts (FB) were isolated from bone marrow and skin samples collected from 20 patients with dcSSc. ADAM12 expression was investigated in the skin and in isolated MSC and FB treated with TGF-β by immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blot. Further, we silenced ADAM12 expression in both dcSSc-MSC and -FB to confirm the TGF-β modulation.
  
  
  
  Pericytes and FB of dcSSc skin showed an increased expression of ADAM12 when compared with healthy control skin. TGF-β in vitro treatment induced a significant increase of ADAM12 in both SSc-MSC and -FB, with the higher levels observed in dcSSc cells. After ADAM12 silencing, the TGF-β ability to upregulate α-smooth muscle actin in both SSc-MSC and SSc-FB was inhibited.
  
  
  
  Our results suggest that in SSc, pericytes that transdifferentiate toward activated FB are present in the vascular tree, and TGF-β, while increasing ADAM12 expression, may modulate this transdifferentiation.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cipriani
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Benedetto
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruscitti
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Liakouli
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Onorina
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Berardicurti
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carubbi
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciccia
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guggino
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zazzeroni
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alesse
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Triolo
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, and the Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila; Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.P. Cipriani, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Di Benedetto, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; P. Ruscitti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; V. Liakouli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; O. Berardicurti, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Carubbi, MD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila; F. Ciccia, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; G. Guggino, MD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; F. Zazzeroni, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; E. Alesse, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, General Pathology Unit, University of L'Aquila; G. Triolo, MD, PhD, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università degli Studi di Palermo; R. Giacomelli, MD, PhD, Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giacomelli
mesh_terms: D000072199:ADAM12 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020286:Pericytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D045743:Scleroderma, Diffuse / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000072199:ADAM12 Protein; C000606480:ADAM12 protein, human
keywords: FIBROSIS; PERICYTE; SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS