Interleukin‐17A+ Cell Counts Are Increased in Systemic Sclerosis Skin and Their Number Is Inversely Correlated With the Extent of Skin Involvement

Abstract

IL-17A+ cells belonging to the innate and adaptive immune system are numerous in SSc skin. IL-17A participates in inflammation while exerting an inhibitory activity on myofibroblast transdifferentiation. These findings are consistent with the notion that IL-17A has a direct negative-regulatory role in the development of dermal fibrosis in humans.