When the cell number in randomly selected areas (per 10,000 μm2) was counted, the number of CD68+, CD163+ or CD204+cells in the skin of SSc patients was larger than that of healthy controls (5.3 ± 2.5 vs 2.2 ± 0.2, 4.0 ± 2.0 vs 1.3 ± 1.0 and 3.5 ± 1.6 vs 1.5 ± 0.5, respectively; P < 0.05). The gene discussed is CD68; the disease is systemic sclerosis.