Figure 1.

Cellular interactions in pathogenesis of SSc. The multiple cell types implicated in pathogenesis of SSc are illustrated. Soluble mediators involved in this intercellular cross-talk are candidate targets for therapeutic intervention. bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor; CTGF, connective tissue growth factor; EC, endothelial cell; ECM, extracellular matrix; ET, endothelin; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; MCP, monocyte chemoattractant protein; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor; SMA, smooth muscle actin; SSc, systemic sclerosis; TGF, transforming growth factor; TH, T-helper (cell); Treg, regulatory T (cell); VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor. Reproduced with permission from [1].