We found that the median number and percentage of circulating CD8 T cells were significantly decreased in SSc patients [279/mm3 (218–356) and 19% of leukocytes (13–21)] compared with healthy controls [473.5 (278–763) and 26% (18–33); p = 0.0246 and p = 0.0142] (Figure 1A). This evidence concerns the gene CD8A and systemic sclerosis.