Background A polymorphism (rs35705950) 3 kb upstream of MUC5B, the gene encoding
Mucin 5 subtype B, has been shown to be associated with familial and sporadic idiopathic …

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) encompass a group of conditions involving fibrosis and/or
inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at …

Background Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is a life-threatening autoimmune disease that
is characterized by the presence of specific autoantibodies and fibrosis of the skin and major …

Background In fibrotic interstitial lung diseases, exertional breathlessness is strongly linked
to health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Breathlessness is often associated with oxygen …

Rationale: Changes in the respiratory microbiome are associated with disease progression
in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The role of the host response to the respiratory …

Background Interstitial lung disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic
sclerosis (SSc), with insufficiently effective treatment options. Progression of pulmonary …

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common cause of chronic childhood disability
and encompasses a number of disease subgroups. In this study we have focused on systemic …

Background and objective The course of systemic sclerosis‐associated interstitial lung
disease (SSc‐ILD) is highly variable, and accurate prognostic markers are needed. KL‐6 is a …

The interplay between genetic and environmental factors is likely involved in the pathogenesis
of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Interstitial lung disease associated in the context of SSc (SSc-…

Objectives Cytokines released by infiltrating T cells may promote mechanisms leading to
fibrosis in scleroderma. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the Th2 cytokine IL-…