A comparison of the mean stimulation activity of SSc IgG with that of control IgG revealed a higher stimulation capacity in the SSc samples (p = 0.0474; Fig. 1B), and the highest levels of ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation were observed in cells treated with SSc IgG (Fig. 1B). The gene discussed is MAPK3; the disease is systemic sclerosis.