Abstract
Physiology In the autoimmune disease systemic sclerosis (SSc), high collagen production by fibroblasts causes “scarring” of the skin and internal organs. During this process, called fibrosis, the Wnt signaling pathway is frequently activated. Svegliati et al. found that antibodies in the serum from SSc patients stimulated a pathway that suppressed the expression of WIF-1 , which encodes a Wnt inhibitor, and triggered collagen production in fibroblasts from normal individuals. Effects were similar when cells were treated with DNA-damaging agents. In fibroblasts from SSc patients, inhibiting this pathway caused the cells to express WIF-1 and produce less collagen. In a mouse model of fibrosis, inhibiting this pathway prevented fibrotic skin thickening. Sci. Signal. 7 , ra84 (2014).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
