TGFB1 and scleroderma: Among ECM proteins, the cytokine transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is regarded as a master regulator of the disease process in scleroderma, since it potently accelerates fibrosis in skin by inducing collagen production; various pro-fibrotic ECM proteins such as CCN2 (also known as a connective tissue growth factor or CTGF) are known to induce the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts [2], [3].