Clinical and experimental dermatology
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Clin. Exp. Dermatol. · Oct 2011
ReviewPathomechanisms of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: new insights.
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), previously known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy, is a generalized fibrotic disorder occurring in people with renal failure, following exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents used to enhance MRI. The cellular elements involved in pathology of NSF include bone-marrow-derived collagen-producing fibrocytes, myofibroblasts and activated macrophages. ⋯ Gadolinium (both free and chelated) is thought to be a bioactive trigger for NSF. Elucidation of these potential pathomechanisms would be useful for development of targeted therapies for NSF.