Ageing of human skin may result from both the passage of time (intrinsic ageing) and from
cumulative exposure to external influences (extrinsic ageing) such as ultraviolet radiation …

Elastic fibres are essential extracellular matrix macromolecules comprising an elastin core
surrounded by a mantle of fibrillin-rich microfibrils. They endow connective tissues such as …

Transforming growth factor betas (TGF-βs) are multifunctional and pleiotropic growth factors.
Their major effects include inhibition of cell proliferation and enhancement of extracellular …

Mutations in the gene for fibrillin-1 (FBN1) have been shown to cause Marfan syndrome, an
autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue characterised by pleiotropic …

Fibrillin is the principal structural component of the 10-12 nm diameter elastic microfibrils of
the extracellular matrix. We have previously shown that both fibrillin molecules and …

Growth factors of the transforming growth factor-β family are potent regulators of the
extracellular matrix formation, in addition to their immunomodulatory and regulatory roles for …

Scleroderma, a debilitating acquired connective tissue disease, is characterized by fibrosis,
particularly of the skin and lungs. Monocyte-produced TGF-β1, a potent stimulus for collagen …

The predisposition for scleroderma, defined as fibrosis and hardening of the skin, is poorly
understood. We report that stiff skin syndrome (SSS), an autosomal dominant congenital …

A bstract This review summarizes the recent research development on vertebrate sialidase
biology. Sialic acid-containing compounds play important roles in many physiological …

The tight-skin (TSK/+) mouse, a genetic model for human systemic sclerosis (SSc), develops
cutaneous fibrosis and autoantibodies against SSc-specific target autoantigens. Although …