Inactivation of the Transcription Factor STAT-4 Prevents Inflammation-Driven Fibrosis in Animal Models of Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract

The transcription factor STAT-4 has recently been identified as a genetic susceptibility factor in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and other autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of STAT-4 in the development of a fibrotic phenotype in 2 different mouse models of experimental dermal fibrosis.

Keywords

• NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA
• EXPERIMENTAL DERMAL FIBROSIS
• GENETIC RISK-FACTOR
• TIGHT-SKIN MICE
• EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX
• PULMONARY-FIBROSIS
• INTERFERON-GAMMA
• ASSOCIATION
• SCLERODERMA
• SUSCEPTIBILITY