This article appears in the following Rheumatology issue: Update in systemic sclerosis [View the issue table of contents]
Endothelin and scleroderma lung disease
1Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
Correspondence to: R. M. Silver, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. E-mail: silverr{at}musc.edu
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Abstract |
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Scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) occurs frequently and for many patients SSc-ILD is a significant complication of their disease. SSc-ILD is now one of the leading causes of death among patients with SSc. SSc-ILD, classified most often as a non-specific interstitial pneumonia, may culminate in interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and end-stage lung disease. Fibrosis in the lung is the net result of fibroblast proliferation and deposition of excessive amounts of extracellular matrix proteins. Among the many cytokines and growth factors involved in the pathogenesis of SSc-ILD, ET-1 may be a central mediator. In vitro and in vivo studies of animals and SSc patients support the notion that ET-1 can enhance the proliferation of pulmonary mesenchymal cells and may also enhance the fibrogenic effects of TGF-β. Two well-designed randomized controlled trials of the dual ET receptor blocker bosentan were negative in their primary (and for SSc also secondary) endpoints, although there might be explanations for this apparent lack of efficacy.
KEY WORDS: Endothelin, Scleroderma, Interstitial lung disease, Pulmonary fibrosis
Submitted 30 April 2008; Accepted 19 June 2008