The in vivo use of DMF in HOCl-induced SSc was associated with the induction of Nrf2 and the expression of its downstream antioxidant defense genes expression (HO-1 and GCL) along with a reduced skin and lung fibrosis and immune activation in DMF-treated HOCl-SSc mice compared to untreated animals. Here, HMOX1 is linked to pulmonary fibrosis.