TGFB1 and rheumatoid arthritis: The presence of TGF-β, in conjunction with augmented mRNA/protein expression of the TGF-β releasing THBS1 and higher TGFBR1 protein by RA SFBs, suggests that TGF-β-induced effects have a (autocrine) pathogenetic importance in RA, for example, the induction of MMP-mediated matrix degradation/remodeling.