Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by widespread vascular abnormalities, immune system activation, and skin and internal organs fibrosis. Despite significant advances in understanding the pathogenesis of SSc, the precise immunological mechanisms underlying the disease remain incompletely understood.
This Research Topic aims to explore the immunological aspects of SSc, focusing on the role of immune cells, cytokines, and signaling pathways in disease development and progression. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of immunological mechanisms in SSc, to highlight recent advances in research that could lead to new therapeutic approaches, and to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers and clinicians in immunology and rheumatology.
The Research Topic will welcome contributions from experts in immunology, rheumatology, dermatology, and related fields. Original research articles, reviews, and case studies that offer new insights into the immunological aspects of SSc are encouraged, on areas including, but not limited to:
- The role of T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells in SSc pathogenesis.
- Immune cell crosstalk and its impact on fibrosis and vascular damage.
- Key cytokines involved in SSc and their potential as therapeutic targets.
- The contribution of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines to disease progression.
- Exploration of signaling pathways that drive immune responses in SSc.
- Novel insights into the modulation of these pathways as potential therapeutic strategies.
- The role of autoantibodies in disease diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring.
- Identification of novel biomarkers for early detection and therapeutic response.
Keywords: Systemic Sclerosis, Immune Cell Involvement, Cytokines and Inflammatory Mediators, Signaling Pathways, Autoantibodies and Disease Markers
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
