The invention is in the field of molecular immunology, more in particular in the field of the prevention or treatment of autoimmune diseases and autoinflammatory diseases, more in particular systemic sclerosis or scleroderma. The invention is based on the observation that such patients have an elevated plasma level of CXCL4. This was found to contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune and/or autoinflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, etc When CXCL4 was neutralized in in vitro experiments, the fibrotic effects could be neutralized. This led us to conclude that autoimmune and/or autoinflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, etc may be cured by reducing the plasma level of CXCL4. The invention therefore relates to a method for treatment or prevention of AID such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, etc wherein the plasma level of CXCL4 is reduced.
