Microchimerism is defined as the presence of non-self and circulating cells in a host. The current study aimed to assess the effect of microchimerism on scleroderma major organ involvements. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 56 scleroderma patients registered in a tertiary rheumatology center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Information on the patients' demographics and disease complications was gathered through a review of medical records. Skin score was applied to better assess skin thickening. High Resolution CT-scan as well as pulmonary function test (PFT) results were also used to investigate pulmonary involvement in patients. Y chromosome serum levels were measured using Phenol Chloroform Extraction protocol and following real-time PCR. Fifty-six scleroderma patients with a mean age of 46±10 years were recruited in this study (58.9% with diffuse scleroderma and 41.07% with limited scleroderma). Other than skin thickening, the most common clinical presentation among the patients was interestitial lung disease (67.8%). No significant difference was found between Y chromosome levels of patients with either lung, cardiac, renal, or gastrointestinal involvement and those who did not have these complications. Y chromosome serum levels based on the results of PFT were also shown to have no significant difference. Moreover, no association was demonstrated between serum Y chromosome and skin score. The serum level of chromosome Y has no impact on the severity and frequency of major organ involvement in Iranian scleroderma patients.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.