Regulatory T cells produce profibrotic cytokines in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis

摘要

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Pathologic conversion of regulatory T (Treg) cells into inflammatory cytokine-producing cells is thought to be an important step in the progression of autoimmunity, but whether loss of normal Treg cell function contributes to SSc is unknown. Objective: We sought to determine whether Treg cells in the blood and skin of patients with SSc acquired abnormal production of effector cytokines.