MMP9 and Peritoneal Fibrosis: Furthermore, our hub gene analysis and network analysis identified several critical hub genes, including HIF-1α, VEGFA, TGF-β1, FGF2, EGF, and MMP9. Previous studies have suggested the importance of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in human peritoneal mesothelial cells cultured in high glucose medium, indicating its potential significance in the initiation of peritoneal fibrosis and the possible efficacy of glucocorticoids in preventing such fibrosis in peritoneal dialysis patients [42].