The mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 (IL-8) and of the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were increased in HMEC-1 after exposure to anti-AT1R and anti-ETAR antibody-positive IgG from SSc patients (SSc-IgG). The gene discussed is AGTR1; the disease is systemic sclerosis.