| pubmed-article:20602813 | pubmed:abstractText | Tissue fibrosis and vascular disease are hallmarks of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) is a key-player in fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis in SSc. In contrast to fibrosis, evidence for a role of TGFbeta in vascular disease of SSc is scarce. Using a transgenic mouse model with fibroblast-specific expression of a kinase-deficient TGFbeta receptor type II, Derrett-Smith and colleagues demonstrate that aberrant TGFbeta signaling in fibroblasts might result in activation of vascular smooth muscle cells and architectural changes of the vessel wall of the aorta. | lld:pubmed |
