The mRNA for TGF-β1 and TGF-β3, TGFBR1, the latent TGF-β binding proteins 1/2 (LTBP1/2), the TGF-β-releasing THBS1, the TGF-β induced factor 2 (TGIF2), the CREB binding protein (CREBBP), the SKI-like protein (SKIL), as well as the smad-associated molecule SARA (smad anchor of receptor activation; ZFYVE9) were upregulated in RA SFBs when compared to OA SFBs, with scores between -0.48 and -1.108 (Table 4). This evidence concerns the gene THBS1 and rheumatoid arthritis.