Interleukin 4 and prolonged hypoxia induce a higher gene expression of lysyl hydroxylase 2 and an altered cross-link pattern: Important pathogenetic steps in early and late stage of systemic scleroderma?

The skin of SSc is characterized by an increase of the transcriptional activity of LH2 leading to an altered cross-link pattern. The changes in the quality of the collagenous matrix can also be obtained in cell culture by the exposure of fibroblasts to interleukin 4 or prolonged hypoxia emphasizing the role of this mediator in the acute and the low oxygen tension in the chronic phase of the disease.