In line with this observation, IgG from SSc patients in an early stage of disease (0 to 6 years from the time of onset of the first non-Raynaud’s symptom) caused significantly higher IL-8 concentrations when compared with IgG levels of patients in a late stage (more than 6 years since onset) (Figure 6B). Here, CXCL8 is linked to systemic sclerosis.