effects of overproduction of collagen
Scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease characterized by abnormal connective tissue growth, can wreak havoc on everything from the skin and heart to lungs, teeth, speech, and movement. The overproduction of collagen causes the skin and organs to harden, leading them to atrophy and possibly fail.
In someone suffering with scleroderma, collagen (a protein manufactured by the connective tissues of the body) is produced in excess. This over-production of collagen can be likened to the process of scarring, which is the way the body heals a wound. For persons with scleroderma, the scarring gets out of hand.