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). This evidence concerns the gene C3AR1 and systemic sclerosis.