Figure 2

Network string analysis derived from hierarchical clustering. (a) Using the STRING 9.1 database, a network of potential protein interactions detected as increased in SSc dermal blister fluid of SSc patients clustered into Group 1. An innate inflammatory profile dominated by interleukin (IL)-6 and its associated interactions, as well as regulatory IL-10, were found to be increased. (b) Network of proteins detected as increased in the dermal blister fluid of SSc patients clustered into Group 2. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) and effector T-lymphocyte associated protein network predominates this subgroup. Light green, association by text mining; pink, association by experiment; black, association by co-expression; dark green, association by neighbourhood. Group 3 was quiescent (data not shown).