Increased % CD8+CD28− T cells in SSc vs. HC (p < 0.0001). Increased % CD8+CD28− T cells in dcSSc vs. lcSSc (p < 0.0001). % CD8+CD28− T cells correlated with increasing age in SSc and HC (r = −0.51, p < 0.0001). % CD8+CD28− T cells significant predictor of SSc presence regardless of age (p = 0.04). This evidence concerns the gene CD8A and systemic sclerosis.