To validate these findings in a larger cohort, mRNA expression of the same genes (TGFB1, TGFBRI, TGFBRII, ITGAV, MMP9 and SMAD7) was assessed in unstimulated PBMCs from individuals with normouricemia, hyperuricemia and patients with gout (HINT study). The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is hyperuricemia.