As CD14 is expressed mainly on macrophages and monocytes, these current findings are in line with previous studies published by our group, showing that the macrophage markers, Siglec1 (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin-1) and MRC1 (mannose receptor-1) are increased in lesional skin in SSc [3,29], suggesting an important function of innate immunity and particularly of macrophages in the tissue inflammation and fibrosis of skin in SSc. Here, CD14 is linked to systemic sclerosis.