Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was more strongly expressed in PSP-derived mesenchymal cells compared to RA-Pα-derived mesenchymal cells, while vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and bFGF were more strongly expressed in RA-Pα-derived mesenchymal cells compared to PSP-derived mesenchymal cells (Fig 2D). Here, HGF is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.