Localized Expression of Tenascin in Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Lung Fibrosis and its Regulation by IGF Binding Protein (IGFBP)-3

摘要

ObjectiveTenascin (TN)-C is an extracellular matrix protein associated with injury and remodeling. Since Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β induces both TN-C and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein (IGFBP)-3, we sought to determine the role of IGFBP-3 in mediating TGF-β’s effects on TN-C production and to assess the levels of TN-C in vivo in SSc-associated pulmonary fibrosis (PF).