C05: Scleroderma: Role of macrophages and dendritic cells in tissue fibrosis
Institut für Translationale Medizin und Hautklinik der Universitätsmedizin Mainz
Scleroderma (Scl) is the skin manifestation of systemic sclerosis which is characterized by an immune-mediated micro-vasculopathy and extensive fibrosis. Although the relevance of macrophages and dendritic cells is recognized, their specific contribution to inflammation and fibrosis remains unaddressed. Our goal is to analyze the role of macrophages, DCs and Langerhans cells in T cell differentiation and in fibrogenic activation of skin fibroblasts by use of several established in vitro methods and in vivo models which address different aspects of Scl and to validate the results by targeted therapeutic strategies that block Scl progression or induce its reversal.
