Stimulatory Autoantibodies to the Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor (PDGFR) in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

Stimulatory Autoantibodies to the PDGFR and Phosphorylation of the PDGFR in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

This study is to determine if subjects with .systemic sclerosis have stimulatory autoantibodies to the PDGF receptor and to confirm activation (phosphorylation) of the PDGF receptor in skin sites with varying degrees of skin thickening

Pilot study to assess whether patients with systemic sclerosis have stimulatory autoantibodies to the PDGF receptor and to confirm activation (phosphorylation) of the PDGF receptor in skin sites with varying degrees of skin thickening

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Fulfill the American College of Rheumatology criteria for systemic sclerosis or:
2. Have no diseases that result in primary fibrosis of an organ system, including the skin and do not have an autoimmune disease

Exclusion Criteria:

1. If the subject has systemic sclerosis resulting from an environmental exposure
2. If the subject has an autoimmune disease excluding scleroderma
3. If the subject has an active infection (including, but not limited to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV)
4. If the subject has been treated with cyclophosphamide in the past 8 weeks.
5. If the subject is prone to bleeding because they are on medications that thin the blood or have a low platelet count.