Following Pam3CSK4 stimulation, MMP-1 expression increased 2.4-fold (basal 10.93 ng/mL compared to Pam3CSK4 25.76 ng/mL, p = 0.054) in RASFC and 1.6-fold in RA synovial tissue (basal 81 ng/mL compared to Pam3CSK4 126.3 ng/mL, p <0.05) (Fig. 2b, 2c (i)). This evidence concerns the gene MMP1 and rheumatoid arthritis.