CLIC4 levels were elevated in the keratinocytes and endothelial cells of TβRIIΔk mice consistent with in vivo paracrine TGF-β dependent modulation of critical cells relevant to SSc pathogenesis, as has been previously demonstrated from pulmonary epithelial and endothelial compartments in this mouse strain [20]. Here, TGFB1 is linked to systemic sclerosis.