Objective
In systemic sclerosis (SSc), characterised by microvascular changes leading to ischemia and impaired angiogenesis, the lack of an angiogenic response to hypoxia may be due to inappropriate synthesis of angiogenic and angiostatic factors. Tissue kallikrein (t-kallikrein) is a potent angiogenic agent regulating the kallikrein kinin system with kallistatin as its natural inhibitor. T-allikrein is synthesised by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells as well as inflammatory cells.