The mRNA levels of the TGFβ-regulated genes Thbs1 and Comp have recently been shown to correlate with the changes in the modified Rodnan skin score41–44 as the common clinical readout of skin fibrosis and changes in the mRNA levels of Thbs1 and Comp in fibrotic skin are thus considered as potential biomarkers for SSc. Here, THBS1 is linked to systemic sclerosis.