Do serum CXCL16 concentrations correlate with the extent of skin sclerosis in patients with systemic sclerosis?
CXCL16 levels were increased in patients with SSc, and correlated with the extent of skin sclerosis, suggesting that CXCL16 may have a role in the development of skin fibrosis in SSc. Blockade of CXCL16 interaction might be a potential therapeutic target in patients with SSc.
The present results are consistent with the hypothesis that the small muscle injury caused by the inserted microdialysis catheter influences the vascular reactivity to adrenaline in a vasoconstrictive direction.