Stem Cell Factor, a Potential Biological Marker of Skin Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis?
Systemic SclerosisThis project aims to study systemic sclerosis and find a serum marker of its cutaneous involvement. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare immune disease that is part of connectivitis and is characterized by fibrosis and vasculopathy. Multiple visceral lesions involving these two processes make up the severity of this disease. Its dermatological involvement is a fundamental clinical element. Systemic sclerosis is mainly divided into two subtypes, depending on the extent of dermatological involvement: limited and diffuse systemic sclerosis. These also differ in certain autoantibody profiles and clinical features. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to determine certain criteria, markers, making it possible to distinguish at an early stage the presence of limited or diffuse systemic sclerosis. The latter being characterized by more severe organic and cutaneous involvement and excess mortality. This would allow for more aggressive management from the outset at an early onset of the disease. In general, it is known that this pathology is characterized by dysfunction of endothelial cells (EC) and fibroblasts as well as autoimmunity. Many mediators contribute to the fibroblast activation observed in SSc. However, transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is considered to be the central regulatory factor of fibrosis processes. It is also known that endothelial cells interact with mast cells through the production of Stem Cell Factor (SCF) to induce their proliferation and differentiation. The damaged skin tissues in systemic sclerosis are infiltrated in particular by mast cell cells which produce TGFβ. The team of Kihira et al (1998) demonstrated the presence of a high level of SCF in the serum of patients with systemic sclerosis. Few studies explore this possible production pathway of TGFβ in systemic sclerosis via SCF assay. This study will allow the investigators to: study this possible route of fibrosis through the dosage of SCF in the serum of patients suffering from systemic sclerosis describe SCF as a possible biomarker of skin involvement by hypothesizing that the dosage of SCF will be higher in patients with diffuse scleroderma compared to those with limited scleroderma
Evaluation of HRCT Patterns in Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Systemic SclerosisInterstitial Lung DiseaseSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous systemic autoimmune disease with distinct prognosis according to patients. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) concerns almost 50 % of SSc patients and represents the main cause of mortality. SSc-ILD is variable: from limited forms (with asymptomatic patients) to extensive lesions. Disease course in SSc-ILD is also highly variable: patients can experience stable disease, slow or fast progression. Investigators performed unsupervised clustering analysis to classify SSc-ILD according to elementary radiological lesions on HRCT scan.
PortoSinusoidal Vascular Diseases and Systemic Sclerosis
PSVD With or Without SScPorto-Sinusoidal Vascular Disorders (PSVD) is a heterogeneous clinico-pathological entity characterized by alterations in small liver vessels. "Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH)" is the most common PSVD. The most frequent liver disease associated with Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is primary biliary cholangitis reported in 2 to 22% of cases. NRH prevalence estimated to 1.4%, may be underestimated as NRH diagnosis is histologic and usually suspected in case of complications due to portal hypertension. Few data are available about NRH associated with SSc resulting in a lack of knowledge of the characteristics and outcome of these patients.
Juvenile Systemic Sclerosis, a Retrospective Epidemiological Study on a French Cohort
Juvenile Systemic SclerosisScleroderma is an inflammatory attack of the vessels leading to localized or multisystemic sclerosis. It is a rare autoimmune pathology in pediatrics. The incidence in pediatrics is very low (about 4 per million according to an American) and therefore the data on the pathology very poor, especially on the therapeutic level. The proposed immunosuppressive treatments are extrapolated from data in adults. The evolution of connectivity does not seem quite identical to the evolution of adult scleroderma, adaptation of treatments seems judicious. However, data on the evolution under therapy in children are still poor. Complications related to the pathology, iatrogeny and diagnostic delay are the first causes of mortality from this pathology and deserve to be studied and if possible avoided. The main hypothesis of the research being to bring together the experiences of the various reference and competence centers in France concerning the clinical presentation, management and follow-up of children with systemic sclerosis.
Morphea in Adults and Children (MAC) Cohort Study: A Morphea Registry and DNA Repository
SclerodermaLocalized6 moreThe Morphea in Adults and Children (MAC) cohort is the first registry for both children and adults with morphea (also known as localized scleroderma) in the country. The purpose of the registry is to learn more about morphea, specifically: How morphea behaves over time How frequently specific problems occur along with morphea (for example, arthritis) Whether morphea has an autoimmune background
New Orleans Pulmonary Hypertension Biobank
Pulmonary HypertensionSystemic Sclerosis3 morePulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious condition characterized by a mean pulmonary artery pressure >=25mmHg on right heart catheterization (RHC). Despite advances in PH care, outcomes are still sub-optimal and further research is required into the pathobiology of the disease and development of biomarkers that can guide clinical care. The investigators are establishing a biobank to collect samples (blood, urine, stool) from patients with pulmonary hypertension, patients at high risk for pulmonary hypertension, healthy controls, and patients undergoing right heart catheterization. Specimens will be stored for future investigations.
Assessment of Nutritional Status in Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic SclerosisThe main theme of the cohort of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients is the determination of nutritional status, its evolution and the evaluation of its management in patients with scleroderma. The main objectives are : To determine the incidence of malnutrition and its main determinants (disease characteristics, severity, eating habits, physical activity) in patients with scleroderma. For patients with undernutrition at inclusion or at 18 months follow-up: evaluate the impact of a standardized nutritional intervention (dietary advice, oral supplements, artificial, enteral or parenteral nutrition) on nutritional and disease parameters. Follow-up visits will take place every 6 months for 2 years. (M6, M12, M18 et M24). During each visit: a clinical examination, with anthropometric measurements, a 3-day dietary survey and a blood sample (10 ml), completion a multiple-choice of quality of life and physical activity evaluation. Paraclinical evaluation : echocardiography, lung function tests, screening for osteoporosis (M6 and M18). If undernutrition is detected during a follow-up visit, the subject will be referred to a specialized service.
Cardiac Assessment by PV Loop in IPAH and Scleroderma PAH
SclerodermaPulmonary Artery HypertensionThis observational study is being done to understand why people with scleroderma can develop pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs, abbreviated PAH) and a weak heart muscle (heart failure). The study will also help the investigators understand why people with PAH from an unknown cause (called idiopathic PAH, or IPAH) can also develop a weakened heart muscle. The response of the right side of the heart or right ventricle (RV) to standard PAH therapy in scleroderma-associated PAH and in IPAH will be assessed. Blood and tissue samples will be collected from research participants during participants' normal standard of care procedures. People with scleroderma-associated PAH or idiopathic cause (IPAH) who need a right heart catheterization may join this study.
Prospective Cohort of Patients With Systemic Sclerosis at Brest University Hospital With Biobanking...
Systemic SclerosisThis study corresponds to a monocentric prospective cohort of adult patients with systemic sclerosis. It will allow the constitution of an organized collection of longitudinal clinical data as well as collection of biological samples, including blood samples, as well as stool sample and skin swab for microbiota analysis.
Clinico-biological Collection to Investigate the Physiopathology of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases...
Lupus ErythematosusScleroderma3 moreThe aim of this project is to start a biological and clinical collection of patients presenting systemic autoimmune disease. This collection will provide appropriate biological samples to identify new biomarkers and to be accessible to the medical, scientific and industrial communities for the identification of new therapeutic strategies