Potential molecular targets for modulating collagen I expression in systemic scleroderma

Identifier:  TFG:3043

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG3043

Authors:  Martínez Buigues, Ester

Abstract:
Scleroderma comprehends a group of autoimmune rheumatic diseases in which dermal fibrosis is the hallmark of the disease. Depending on which tissues are affected by the fibrotic process, scleroderma can be divided into two types. While localised scleroderma is the mildest form of the condition by only affecting the skin, systemic scleroderma is mainly characterised by the excessive production and accumulation of collagen in the dermis and internal organs. Although the mortality associated with this disease is caused by other clinical manifestations such as scleroderma renal crisis, dermal fibrosis affects considerably the patients’ quality of life. In line with this, this bachelor thesis presents molecular targets that modulate collagen I expression to mitigate cutaneous fibrosis in systemic scleroderma. For this, a literary review is carried out by consulting three different databases and ten scientific articles are selected for further discussion. Besides, the bibliographic search is complemented with an experiment which assesses TANGO1 as a plausible molecular target by investigating the effect of the inhibitor P1 upon collagen I secretion in vitro. Finally, all targets presented in this project are discussed to lead us to a better understanding of the therapeutic application of these for treating cutaneous fibrosis in systemic scleroderma.