The performance of antifibrotic agents in preclinical models of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) – is one of the most complicated and fatal systemic diseases, and the lack of effective therapy is very evident. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate (IM) was shown to inhibit TGF-β and PDGF signaling pathways and prevent the development of dermal fibrosis upon challenge with bleomycin in murine model of SSc. The aim of therapy is not only to stop disease progression, but even induce regression of preexisting fibrosis. On other hand, blocking TGF-β and PDGF signaling in angiogenesis might worsen the vascular manifestations of SSc. We found important to evaluate effectiveness of IM for the treatment of pre-established tissue fibrosis and to exclude that the anti-fibrotic effects of IM are complicated by inhibitory effects on endothelial cell functions. Aim of the study: assess the effect of IM on the process of fibrosis and endothelium in experimental models of systemic sclerosis and cell cultures. Objectives of the study: assess the effectiveness of IM on murine models of established fibrosis; evaluate if IM has an effect on basal functions of endothelial cells; assess effect of IM on the process of angiogenesis. We have shown that IM exerts potent antifibrotic effects in two different models of SSc. Imatinib was effective for prevention of fibrosis and for treatment of established dermal fibrosis. We’ve demonstrated that IM does not inhibit major functions of endothelial cells. Thus, IM might not augment further the preexisting vascular damage in SSc