The increase in MMP-9 production by IL-1β and TNF-α appears to be triggered at least in part by a cyclosporin A (CsA)-sensitive pathway, since 500 ng/ml CsA limited MMP-9 production in SSc fibroblasts stimulated with IL-1β or TNF-α to 63% and 57% of original responses, respectively. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is systemic sclerosis.