Circulating levels of active transforming growth factor β1 are reduced in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis and correlate inversely with the modified Rodnan skin score

Objectives. To determine the relationship between clinical features and circulating levels of active transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 in the major subsets of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods. In a cross-sectional study cases of diffuse cutaneous SSc (dose) (n=27) or limited cutaneous SSc (dose) (n=20) were compared with healthy controls (n=22). Active and total TGFβ1 was measured in serum and plasma by a high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. There were no significant differences between levels of total serum TGFβ1. However, cases of dcSSc had lower levels of active TGFβ1 than cases of lcSSc or controls. In addition, more cases of dcSSc (18/27; 66%, P