Technical Articles

This article systematically elucidates the core role of platelet factor 4 (PF4/CXCL4) as the major secretory protein of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis, analyzing the association between PF4 levels and clinical complications such as skin fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. It explores the molecular mechanisms by which PF4 induces endothelial cell activation through downregulation of FLI1 expression and enhancement of TLR responses.