Rheumatology Commons^™

The Role Of Allograft Inflammatory Factor 1 In Systemic Sclerosis, Francesco Del Galdo, Carol M. Artlett, Sergio A. Jimenez

Selected Works of Sergio Jiménez, MD, MACR

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To review studies which support the hypothesis that allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), a protein initially identified in chronically rejected cardiac allografts, may be involved in the pathogenesis of the progressive fibroproliferative vasculopathy which is a hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Recent findings: Recent findings demonstrated elevated AIF-1 expression both in SSc affected tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A detailed immunohistopathologic study examined the tissue and cellular localization of the protein in affected SSc tissues and demonstrated its expression in the endothelium of dermal and pulmonary vessels, in the pulmonary parenchyma, and in relevant inflammatory cells including T …

Description Of Twelve Cases Of Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy And Review Of The Literature, Fabian A. Mendoza, Carol M. Artlett, Nora Sandorfi, Kevin Latinis, Sonoles Piera-Velazquez, Sergio A. Jimenez

Selected Works of Sergio Jiménez, MD, MACR

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To review the clinical and laboratory features of twelve cases of nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) studied at our institution and of 70 previously described cases in the literature.

Methods: Clinical evaluation and laboratory studies of twelve patients with NFD associated with chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal disease and a review of 23 previous publications describing 70 patients with this disease.

Results: Eleven patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis and one patient undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal failure developed a severe and progressive cutaneous fibrotic process with woody induration of legs, thighs, hands and forearms, and …

Statins And The Vasculopathy Of Systemic Sclerosis: Potential Therapeutic Agents?, Chris T. Derk, Sergio A. Jimenez

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

It has been postulated that endothelial cell injury is the initiating event in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis, causing attraction, attachment, migration and infiltration of activated T-cells and subsequent production of cytokines and growth factors. As a result of the action of these cytokines and growth factors, chemoattraction of fibroblasts into the vessel wall and transdifferentiation of resident fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells into myofibroblasts occur leading to fibrosis and exaggerated collagen deposition in the vessel wall. To date, the therapeutic options for the vasculopathy of systemic sclerosis have been limited to drugs that cause vasodilation and inhibit platelet aggregation …