11 MeDEGs were confirmed to be differentially expressed in SSc (p<0.05), including seven upregulated genes (CSTA, CTSG, C3AR1, PLAUR, LTBR, ODF3B, and ELANE) and four downregulated genes (CXCR6, PAG1, RUNX3, and PRF1) (Figure 4). Here, CTSG is linked to systemic sclerosis.