Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 Activates a Network of Profibrotic Signaling Pathways to Promote Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis

Investigators demonstrated that the profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor β selectively up-regulated fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) and its ligand FGF9 to promote fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis, leading to a prominent FGFR3 signature in the systemic sclerosis skin.