GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN-BASED THERAPY FOR THE PREVENTION/TREATMENT OF SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

摘要

The present application shows that the topo/anti-topo immune complexes (IC) found in patients susceptible to systemic sclerosis (SSc) or afflicted with SSc mediate their action through binding heparan sulfate present on the surface of fibroblasts. Therefore, the present application provides a method for the prevention and/or treatment of SSc in a subject in need thereof and positive for anti-topo antibodies, wherein a preventive and/or therapeutic amount of a glycosaminoglycan compound is administered to prevent the docking of the topo/anti- topo IC on the surface of fibroblasts or to displace the topo/anti-topo IC from the surface of fibroblasts. Also provided are related methods for the determination of the usefulness of an agent for the prevention/treatment of SSc.