Collagen 22α1 is a TGFβ early response gene in human skin that mediates the fibroblast to myofibroblast transition

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex multi-system autoimmune disease characterized by immune dysregulation, vasculopathy, and organ fibrosis. Skin fibrosis causes high morbidity and impaired quality of life in affected individuals. In this study, we identified the COL22α1 gene associated with the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis through high-throughput RNA sequencing of human skin in organ culture. The expression levels of COL22α1 were significantly increased by TGFβ in ex vivo human skin tissues and normal human skin fibroblasts, while other fibrosis growth factors such as IL-6 and bleomycin modestly increased COL22α1 expression. Skin samples were cultured with TGFβ (10 ng/ml) or a vehicle control. Skin tissues were harvested at 48 hours.