London, United Kingdom, June 10, 2016: The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2016) showed for the first time a beneficial effect of oestrogens in experimental models of skin fibrosis that are representative of the disease process in systemic sclerosis (SSc). These findings may explain the increased incidence of SSc in women after the menopause, the greater severity of SSc in men, and importantly open up the possibility of developing potential hormone therapies for this difficult-to-treat condition.
SSc (also known as scleroderma) is an autoimmune disease affecting multiple organs, which predominantly affects women (with a female-to-male ratio of up to 9:1). Skin thickening is a defining feature of SSc, with excessive production of proteins such as collagen by fibroblasts resulting in skin thickening.
Skin involvement may be mainly confined to the face and extremities; however, in some SSc patients, disease progression is very rapid, with skin thickening extending beyond the extremities, and earlier, more widespread fibrosis involving the internal organs. The extent of skin involvement in SSc correlates inversely with survival and is considered a valuable marker of overall disease severity.3 Currently, no therapy with an acceptable toxicity profile has proven to be effective in the treatment of SSc skin disease.
"Because of the clear sex bias in SSc, we decided to assess if blocking the action of oestrogens, (female hormones that decrease in menopause) plays a role in the development or vulnerability to this disease," explained Dr Jerome Avouac of the Paris Descartes University, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France.
The effect of oestrogen inhibition was evaluated in mouse models of skin fibrosis using two techniques. Firstly, in a population of mice in whom gene inactivation had knocked out the key receptor that responds to oestrogens, and secondly using tamoxifen which is a hormone therapy that blocks the action of oestrogen. Results showed that oestrogen inhibition consistently and significantly exacerbated the process of skin fibrosis.
In a second experiment, skin fibroblasts from SSc patients were stimulated with the cytokine that activates skin fibrosis (TGF-β) and then incubated with different concentrations of 17-?-oestradiol (a form of oestrogen) and/or tamoxifen to inhibit oestrogen. Measurements of the release of collagen from the fibroblasts, differentiation of these fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and evidence of activation of the TGF-β pathway all confirmed that oestrogens significantly slow down fibrosis.
"Having confirmed that oestrogens indeed play a role in protecting against skin fibrosis in experimental models representative of SSc, the next step will be to begin investigating the potential role of hormone therapies as a treatment of SSc skin disease," Dr Avouac concluded.
Abstract Number: OP0304
###
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For further information on this study, or to request an interview with the study lead, please do not hesitate to contact the EULAR congress
Press Office in the London Suite at ExCel London during EULAR 2016 or on:
Email: eularpressoffice@cohnwolfe.com
Onsite tel: +44 (0) 7725 915 492 / +44 (0) 7786 171 476
Twitter: @EULAR_Press
Youtube: Eular Pressoffice
About EULAR
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) is an umbrella organisation which represents scientific societies, health professional associations and organisations for people with Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMD) throughout Europe.
EULAR aims to promote, stimulate and support the research, prevention, and treatment of RMD and the rehabilitation of those it affects.
EULAR underlines the importance of combating rheumatic diseases not only by medical means, but also through a wider context of care for rheumatic patients and a thorough understanding of their social and other needs. EULAR is supported in this mission by its 45 scientific member societies, 36 PARE (People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe) organisations, 22 HPR (Health Professionals in Rheumatology) associations and 23 corporate members.
The EULAR Annual European Congress of Rheumatology is the foremost international medical meeting announcing the latest research on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. EULAR 2016 is expected to attract over 14,000 delegates from around 120 countries. Most if not all professions working in the vast field of RMD will be represented.
To find out more about the activities of EULAR, visit: http://www.eular.org
References
1. EULAR 2016; London: Abstract OP0304
2. Gabrielli A, Avvedimento EV, Krieg T: Scleroderma. N Engl J Med. 2009, 360: 1989-2003
3. Krieg T, Takehara K: Skin disease: a cardinal feature of systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2009, 48: iii14-iii18
4. Postlethwaite AE, Harris LJ, Raza SH, Kodura S, Akhigbe T: Pharmacotherapy of systemic sclerosis. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2010, 11: 789-806