Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-1149 (Printed)
+44-20-4587-4809
ISSN: 2161-1149 (Printed)
+44-20-4587-4809
Alex Magno Coelho Horimoto
Professor of Rheumatology, Medical University of Mato Grosso do Sul,
Brazil
Research Article
Anti-Collagen Type V Antibody in Systemic Sclerosis: A Possible Useful Tool to Asses Disease Activity
Author(s): Alex Magno Coelho Horimoto, Natalino Hajime Yoshinari, Elenice Mantovani and Izaias Pereira da CostaAlex Magno Coelho Horimoto, Natalino Hajime Yoshinari, Elenice Mantovani and Izaias Pereira da Costa
Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vascular injury, autoimmunity and tissue fibrosis. Usually collagen type V (V Col) is found hidden between the heterotypical fibers. It was discovered in the rheumatology department at the University of São Paulo (FMUSP) that deposition of this collagen occurs, however with anomalous morphology in SSc patient’s tissue, suggesting that V Col is an important molecule in fibrosis and autoimmunity process. The V Col molecule, which has atypical morphology aspect, exposed after a nonspecific inflammatory damage could result in formation of immune complexes (V Col - anti-V Col), whose deposition on the vascular endothelium, would cause a vascular damage, allowing the influx of cells of innate immunity into the extracellular matrix, resulting in an enzymatic degradation of the heter.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2161-1149.1000188