Biomarkers In Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, And Treatment Of Ssc

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by vascular damage, inflammation, and exuberant fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Biomarkers are analytic indicators of the biological and disease processes within an individual that can be accurately and reproducibly measured. Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are classical biomarkers present in more than 90% of SSc patients. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is central to the fibrotic process of SSc and is intertwined with other biomarkers. Tyrosine kinases, interferon-1 signaling, IL-6 signaling, endogenous thrombin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), lysophosphatidic acid receptors, and amino acid metabolites are new biomarkers with potential for developing new therapeutic agents. Other biomarkers implicated in SSc-ILD include signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4), CD226 (DNAX accessory molecule 1), interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5), interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 (IRAK1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and pyrin domain containing proteins.