CRP and systemic sclerosis: Various pro-inflammatory cytokines that have been associated with both atherosclerotic plaques and CIMT, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and C-reactive protein, have been shown to be increased in patients with SSc.[9,28] Furthermore, emerging studies have found that autoantibodies may have a role in atherogenesis, including those against oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL), β2-glycoprotein-I (β2GPI), centromere and cardiolipin.[29,30] Anti-centromere antibody (ACA) is one of the specific hallmark antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) of SSc.