Autoantibody profile in a cohort of Algerian patients with systemic sclerosis.

Aim: To describe the autoantibody profile in a cohort of Algerian patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to determine clinical associations between SSc-related autoantibodies, disease subtypes and specific clinical features.

Methods: Consecutive Algerian patients with SSc were included in the present study. In addition to clinical characterization, all subjects underwent autoantibody testing using indirect immunofluorescence, immunoenzymatic, and line immunoblot assays.

Th17 pathway genes polymorphisms in Algerian patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objective: TH17 cells have involved in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases including systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of our study was to investigate an association of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-23R and STAT3 genes with SSc susceptibility, and clinical and immunological phenotypes.

Patients And Methods: The case-control study included 136 patients suffering from SSc and 317 healthy controls of the Algerian population.