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SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

T cells in SSc skin lesions: knowing your enemy

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New research suggests that cytotoxic T cells are dominant in the lesional skin of patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc) and contribute to vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis. Could therapeutic strategies that prevent T cell activation and cytotoxicity therefore present an option to potentially halt progression of SSc?

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Fig. 1: Model for the role of cytotoxic T cells in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.

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Correspondence to Patrizia Fuschiotti.

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Fuschiotti, P. T cells in SSc skin lesions: knowing your enemy. Nat Rev Rheumatol 16, 253–254 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41584-020-0404-6

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