Healthy and SSc fibroblasts were pretreated with TSP1 blocking peptides (LSKL) or control peptide (SLLK) for 5 days and then transferred to a culture force monitor (CFM) and forces exerted by cells within the collagen lattice over 24 h in 2% serum, both in the presence and absence of added TGFβ [27] were measured and recorded. This evidence concerns the gene THBS1 and systemic sclerosis.