Reference

The relationship between cytokine levels and systemic sclerosis (SSc) involvement is significant, as cytokines play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. According to various studies found in the search results:

1. Cytokine and chemokine levels in systemic sclerosis - NCBI: This study indicates that systemic scleroderma presents deregulated production of cytokines implicated in vascular damage and fibrosis [1].

2. Relationship between cytokine profiles and clinical outcomes in systemic sclerosis: Several correlations have been shown between circulating or in situ cytokine levels and SSc severity, as assessed by the extent of skin fibrosis and organ involvement [2].

3. Cytokines Involved in the Pathogenesis of SSc and Problems in Therapy: High levels of tenascin and IL-4 were reported in the skin lesions in SSc patients, and tenascin production from human fibroblasts was enhanced by IL-4 [3].

4. Circulating cytokine levels in systemic sclerosis related interstitial lung disease: The study aimed to compare the levels of 87 circulating cytokines sampled from plasma in healthy controls to patients with SSc without ILD, SSc-ILD, and other conditions [4].

5. Associations of the circulating levels of cytokines with risk of systemic sclerosis: The imbalance of the immune system, especially Th1/Th2 cytokines, is central to the pathogenesis of SSc [5].

6. Contribution of Interleukin-6 to the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis: Various cytokines and growth factors are elevated in the systemic circulation and fibrotic lesions of patients with SSc, particularly IL-6 [6].

7. Plasma cytokine profiles in systemic sclerosis: associations with disease duration and organ involvement: SSc patients had higher circulating levels of TNFα, IL-6, and IFNγ [7].

These findings suggest that cytokine levels are not only associated with the presence of SSc but also with the severity and progression of the disease, including skin fibrosis and internal organ involvement. The dysregulation of cytokine production is a key factor in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis, and understanding these relationships can help in developing targeted therapies and diagnostic markers for the disease.