IGFBP-1 (p < 0.0001), TGF-β (p < 0.05), IL-8 (p < 0.05), YKL-40 (p < 0.0001) and MMP-7 (p < 0.01) levels were increased in the IS of SSc patients compared to HV. This evidence concerns the gene MMP7 and systemic sclerosis.