These altered genes, further validated in the whole cohort of RA patients belonging to the second cohort and HD, were found involved in inflammatory and oxidative stress response (i.e., IL-5, CCL2, PPARγ, and INFγ), adhesion and extracellular signaling (i.e., IL-8 and MMP1), blood coagulation and circulation (i.e., TF and VEGF), lipid metabolism (i.e., LDLR), and cell growth and proliferation (i.e., IL-1α) (Figure 3B). This evidence concerns the gene MMP1 and rheumatoid arthritis.