B Regulatory Cells in Systemic Sclerosis

In a recent study entitled “B regulatory cells are decreased and functionally impaired in patients with systemic sclerosis”, researchers report that a specific population of B cells – regulatory B cells – with established functions in immune suppression, have their numbers markedly reduced and functions impaired in systemic sclerosis patients. These findings suggest potential new therapeutics for systemic sclerosis patients by rescuing regulatory B cells function. The study was published in the Arthritis & Rheumatology journal.

Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma (meaning hard skin), is characterized by excessive deposition of collagen in the skin, although the disease frequently progresses into a systemic disease, therefore affecting internal organs, such as kidneys, heart, lungs and intestine. The disease induces vascular damage, fibrosis and autoantibodies production.

Read more on this study here: http://bit.ly/1V3Ew07

Learn about scleroderma and keep up to date on all the latest news here: http://bit.ly/20sZaNS