Systemic sclerosis Th2 cells inhibit collagen production by dermal fibroblasts via membrane‐associated tumor necrosis factor α

Abstract

These findings indicate that, despite their production of IL-4, Th2 cells reduce type I collagen synthesis by dermal fibroblasts because of the dominant effect of TNF alpha, and suggest that strategies based on TNF alpha blockade aimed at controlling fibrosis in SSc may be unwise.