VEGFA and systemic sclerosis: Further, there is a growing body of evidence that some pro-inflammatory markers [e.g., interleukin 6 (IL-6)] (5), along with markers of endothelial activation and injury [intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] (6, 7), may also have an essential role in SSc-ILD pathogenesis.