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SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Targeting the TLR4–MD2 axis in systemic sclerosis

Inappropriate activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on resident fibroblasts, through the binding of damage-associated molecular patterns, is a potential driver of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. New evidence suggests that targeting fibroblast-specific TLR4 or an accessory molecule MD2 could have therapeutic value.

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Fig. 1: Targeting TLR4–MD2 signalling in fibroblast activation.

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Correspondence to Steven O’Reilly.

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O’Reilly, S., van Laar, J.M. Targeting the TLR4–MD2 axis in systemic sclerosis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 14, 564–566 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41584-018-0077-6

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