Transcriptomic Study of Cutaneous Fibroblasts in Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a complex connective tissue disease involving three interconnected pathophysiological axes: vascular hyperactivity and remodelling, immune system dysfunction and over-activation of fibroblasts at the origin of the fibrosis process in the skin and organs. Given that this pathology occurs preferentially in mature subjects, it is possible to suggest a potential inductive role for senescent fibroblasts, which would be responsible for activating and/or maintaining the immune response and systemic inflammation. Our hypothesis is that fibroblasts play a predominant role in the genesis and maintenance of this pathology.