Taking the diffuse cutaneous form of SSc as a chronic inflammatory disease suggests a possible therapeutic role of a TNF-α blocker, or other biologics, or interference with the selectins or their ligands, in reducing skin damage in SSc patients through the effect of increased L-selectin expression, which can in turn be monitored by looking for increasing soluble L-selectin in the plasma of patients. Here, TNF is linked to systemic sclerosis.