CXCL8 and systemic sclerosis: Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (such as interleukins (IL-8, IL-1α, IL-10), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and neutrophil-derived alpha-defensin) have been proven to be increased in BALF of SSc-ILD patients [6], as have other pro-inflammatory mediators (such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), IL-6 and interferon-γ (IFNγ)) are increased in plasma of SSc-ILD patients [7,8].