Obliterative vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis: Endothelial precursor cells as novel targets for therapy

Monique Hinchcliff*, John Varga

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with a progressive obliterative vasculopathy that accounts for serious clinical manifestations of the disease, and has, to date, no effective treatment. Vascular obliteration is accompanied by defective vasculogenesis due to impaired production, mobilization or function of bone marrow-derived vascular precursor cells. Statins enhance vascular precursor cell production in chronic cardiovascular diseases and may also have a therapeutic role in SSc. This paper evaluates the results from a recent open-label clinical trial of atorvastatin that support this notion. Larger controlled trials are now needed to critically evaluate the efficacy of statins for repairing vascular damage, enhancing vasculogenesis, and attenuating the burden of chronic vasculopathy in SSc.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11-15
Number of pages5
JournalExpert Review of Clinical Immunology
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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