Gonçalves RSG, et al. - In skin's biopsies from 14 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 5 healthy controls, researchers quantified the mRNA expression of profibrotic (CTGF, PDGF, IL-13, IL-6, CCL3, RORc, IL-17 and IL-22) and antifibrotic molecules (IL-7 and IFNγ). In skin's biopsy of SSc patients, CCL3, IL-7, IL-13 and IFN-γ were more expressed compared to healthy controls. A positive correlation was also found between CCL3 and IL-7 transcripts. In addition, it was noted that that patients with lung involvement had lower expression of PDGF-A. Overall, the authors observed an increase in IL-7, IFN-γ, CCL3 and IL-13 relative mRNA expressions on the skin's biopsy of SSc patients, and a positive link between IL-7 and CCL3. These molecules are engaged in SSc pathogenesis, and further research should focus on how their interactions happen.