IL-17 Signaling, HMGB1 Signaling, Granulocyte Adhesion and Diapedesis, Role of Macrophages, Fibroblasts and Endothelial Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammasome pathway were predicted with positive z-score (0 < z-score < 2), while Erythropoietin Signaling Pathway were predicted with negative z-score (− 2 < z-score < 0) (Fig. 4C). Here, EPO is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.