Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) impairs lung function and decreases survival rates of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, a retrospective analysis shows. The study “Overall mortality in combined pulmonary brosis and emphysema related to systemic sclerosis” was published in the journal Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases. SSc is caused…

Men older than 50 with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) have higher levels of estradiol, an active form of estrogen, in their blood compared to healthy males, a study suggests. High estradiol levels correlated with worse survival and cardiac complications. The results suggest that estradiol is a potential therapeutic…

A simple routine blood test that measures the levels of immune cells called monocytes may help identify patients with fibrotic diseases, including systemic sclerosis, who are at risk for poorer outcomes, according to a study. The study, “Increased monocyte count…

The enzyme EZH2 is present in higher-than-normal levels in fibroblasts and endothelial cells from scleroderma patients, a study shows, and suggests blocking or inhibiting EZH2 to prevent fibrosis and restore normal blood vessel formation. The study, “Inhibition of EZH2 prevents fibrosis and restores normal angiogenesis in scleroderma,” was published…

Inhibiting the protein PU.1 has potential as a therapy to treat multiple fibrotic diseases, including systemic sclerosis, a new study contends. The study reporting that finding, “PU.1 controls fibroblast polarization and tissue fibrosis,” was published recently in the journal Nature. The PU.1 transcription factor is a central…

Treatment with rituximab may help improve the clinical symptoms of calcinosis — the formation of calcium deposits in the skin and muscle — of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, a small study suggests. The study, “Effectiveness and safety of rituximab for the treatment of refractory systemic sclerosis associated calcinosis: A case series…

Treatment with rituximab appears to stabilize microcirculation — blood circulation in small vessels called capillaries — in patients with long-term diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study suggests. The study, “Effects of treatment with rituximab on microcirculation in patients with long-term systemic sclerosis,” was published in BMC Research…

Autoantibodies against fat molecules present in the membrane of cells, called antiphospholipid antibodies, are associated with an increased risk of blood clots and miscarriage among scleroderma (SSc) patients, a study reports. The study, “Prevalence and Clinical Associations of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Systemic Sclerosis: New Data From a…

High levels of CX3CL1, a pro-inflammatory molecule, in the lung tissue and blood are linked with pulmonary dysfunction in scleroderma (SSc) patients, a study reports. The study, “Augmented concentrations of CX3CL1 are associated with interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis,” was published in the journal PLOS One. Pulmonary complications, specifically…

As people age they accumulate a subset of more pro-inflammatory monocytes, a type of immune cell, that may ultimately contribute to the persistent low levels of chronic inflammation seen in the elderly, a new study reports. These findings may help in further understanding the mechanisms underlying inflammatory diseases, including systemic…