Systemic Sclerosis and Innate T Cells

Innate T cells (ITC) are decreased in systemic sclerosis (SS) and an early lymphocyte innateness has been reported. In the other part, ITC are implicated on inflammatory process, including the IL-33/ST2 axis, which is also involved in ScS endotheliopathy. Data are however scarce and physiopathological mechanisms have not been assessed to date. The investigators hypothesize a global lymphocyte innateness in SSc, linked to a chronic ITC stimulation by innate signals leading to ITC exhaustion, and their potential role in endotheliopathy and fibroblast activation in SSc.