Fig. 2

CD138 cell staining in involved and uninvolved skin from a patient with systemic sclerosis (SSc). a Involved skin (distal forearm biopsy) from a patient with an early anti-Scl-70⁺ diffuse SSc showing an appreciable number of CD138⁺ cells in perivascular areas. b Uninvolved skin (buttock biopsy) of the same patient showing the presence of a smaller number of CD138⁺ cells around blood vessels. Original magnification × 400 (a and b). Nuclei were counterstained by hematoxylin. Bottom insets show the infiltrating cells at a lower magnification (× 200). Insets at the top of the figures show hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of involved and uninvolved skin (× 50)