Based on a combination of GO results, KEGG pathways, and genes of interest, 8 DEGs were identified including PIK3CD, IL1β, IL1α, TIMP1, MMP1, MMP12, COL6A3, and HLADRB5, of which 7 were associated with intestinal inflammation and fibrosis in UC, and involved in KEGG pathways associated with the ECM-receptor interaction and inflammatory bowel disease (Additional file 6: Table S6). This evidence concerns the gene MMP12 and inflammatory bowel disease.