Using paired skin samples, CD68+ cell count was significantly higher in clinically involved (26.3 ± 8.3) compared to uninvolved skin from patients with SSc (13.6 ± 6.1) (p = 0.001) (Fig. 4), the CD68+ cells having a preferential perivascular distribution within the dermis. The gene discussed is CD68; the disease is systemic sclerosis.