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Macrophage Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: Do We Need More Evidence?

  • Scleroderma (J Varga, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis is still unknown, although immune cells, mainly macrophages/monocytes, may have an important role in initiating and/or perpetuating the disease. Macrophages and monocytes are often classified as pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype or classic activation and pro-fibrotic/anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype or alternative activation. In this review, we highlighted the most relevant research regarding the involvement of macrophages/monocytes in the pathogenesis of this complex disease.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St. 5th Floor Room 501, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Giuseppina Stifano & Romy Beatriz Christmann

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  1. Giuseppina Stifano
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  2. Romy Beatriz Christmann
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Correspondence to Romy Beatriz Christmann.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Scleroderma

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Stifano, G., Christmann, R.B. Macrophage Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: Do We Need More Evidence?. Curr Rheumatol Rep 18, 2 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-015-0554-8

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