Furthermore, we presented the solides evidence indicating that Chi3L1, as a critical protein predominantly expressed by basal cells in the skin, is actively engaged in fibroblast activation through NF‐kB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway by interacting with the interleukin‐17 receptor A (IL‐17RA) of fibroblasts in SSc. The gene discussed is NFKB1; the disease is systemic sclerosis.