Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rheumatic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology, characterized mainly by vasculopathy, autoimmunity and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. The accumulation of collagen fibers is the most prominent feature in SSc pathogenesis, with the increase in the expression of type V collagen (Col V), already in the early stages of the disease. In recent years, Co…