Guest Editors
Dr. Cheng-Hsun Lu
Email: b89401085@ntu.edu.tw
Affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 10002, Taiwan
Homepage:
Research Interests:Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases (IMIDs), Systemic Autoimmune Disease, Autoinflammatory Diseases, Immune Dysregulation, Biomarkers, Targeted Therapy, Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), Ultrasound
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis, vascular dysfunction, and immune system abnormalities that affect multiple organs, including the skin, lungs, heart, and kidneys. Despite significant progress in understanding its clinical manifestations, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This special issue aims to explore the cellular and molecular processes involved in the pathogenesis of SSc, focusing on how aberrant immune responses, fibroblast activation, and endothelial dysfunction contribute to fibrosis and disease progression. By bringing together cutting-edge research from leading experts worldwide, this issue seeks to unravel the molecular pathways driving SSc and identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this challenging disease.
Key areas of focus include, but are not limited to:
1. Immune System Dysregulation in SSc:
- Investigating the role of immune cells (e.g., T cells, B cells, and macrophages) in the initiation and progression of SSc.
- Exploring how autoimmunity and chronic inflammation contribute to vascular damage and fibrotic tissue remodeling in SSc.
2. Fibroblast Activation and Tissue Fibrosis:
- Analyzing the molecular signaling pathways (e.g., TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin) that drive fibroblast activation and differentiation in SSc.
- Identifying key regulators of fibrosis, including extracellular matrix components, integrins, and myofibroblast transdifferentiation.
3. Endothelial Dysfunction and Vascular Pathology:
- Examining how endothelial cell dysfunction contributes to vascular abnormalities and impaired microcirculation in SSc.
- Investigating the role of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and its impact on fibrosis and vascular remodeling.
4. Molecular Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis:
- Identifying novel biomarkers that can aid in the early diagnosis and disease stratification of SSc.
- Investigating how molecular signatures of immune activation and fibrosis can predict disease progression and therapeutic response.
5. Therapeutic Targets and Interventions:
- Exploring current and emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating immune responses, fibrosis, and vascular injury in SSc.
- Evaluating the potential of targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, small molecule drugs, antifibrotic agents and gene editing, to improve patient outcomes.
6. Translational and Clinical Insights:
- Bridging the gap between basic cellular research and clinical application to develop more effective treatments for SSc.
- Reviewing ongoing clinical trials and therapeutic interventions with a focus on their cellular and molecular mechanisms.
This special issue invites original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives that address the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying systemic sclerosis, as well as new therapeutic approaches. By highlighting the latest discoveries and challenges in the field, this issue aims to accelerate the development of novel diagnostic and treatment strategies, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients with systemic sclerosis.
Keywords
systemic sclerosis, autoimmunity, immune dysregulation, fibrosis, fibroblasts, endothelial dysfunction, biomarkers, TGF-β, cellular mechanisms, molecular pathways, therapeutic targets, biologics, small molecule drugs, antifibrotic agents
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