A possible contribution of altered cathepsin B expression to the development of skin sclerosis and vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis.

Cathepsin B (CTSB) is a proteolytic enzyme potentially modulating angiogenic processes and extracellular matrix remodeling. While matrix metalloproteinases are shown to be implicated in tissue fibrosis and vasculopathy associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc), the role of cathepsins in this disease...

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Main Authors: Shinji Noda, Yoshihide Asano, Kaname Akamata, Naohiko Aozasa, Takashi Taniguchi, Takehiro Takahashi, Yohei Ichimura, Tetsuo Toyama, Hayakazu Sumida, Koichi Yanaba, Yayoi Tada, Makoto Sugaya, Takafumi Kadono, Shinichi Sato
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2012-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3285678?pdf=render