Abstract

VANEGAS, Adriana Lucía  and  VASQUEZ, Gloria María. Smad y otros blancos terapéuticos en esclerodermiaSmad and other therapeutic targets in scleroderma. Rev.Colomb.Reumatol. [online]. 2011, vol.18, n.4, pp.285-294. ISSN 0121-8123.

Scleroderma is a disease characterized by excessive accumulation of fibrous tissue that leads to alteration in the structure and function of the skin and internal organs. The main cytokine involved in this process is the transforming growth factor beta and their functions are carried out mainly through intracellular signaling mediated by Smad proteins. Several strategies have been developed to block the effects of the transforming growth factor beta and understanding the signaling pathway provides new tools for the investigation of future therapies, but more studies are needed in animal models and humans to get the replication of the results in a satisfactory and safe manner. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of the transforming growth factor beta in the pathophysiology of scleroderma emphasizing the signaling pathway mediated by Smad; it is also to review some studies involving these proteins as therapeutic targets of molecules and drugs that could become potential treatments for scleroderma.

Keywords : systemic scleroderma; TGF-beta; Smad proteins; imatinib.

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