Similarly, higher levels of transcripts from the genes encoding epiregulin (EREG), wound and keratinocytes migration associated lnRNA (WAKMAR) which are involved in tissue and wound healing and integrin subunit alpha 1 (ITGA1) which is a cellular adhesion molecule for collagen and laminin58,59 were observed in podoconiosis patients compared to healthy controls. This evidence concerns the gene ITGA1 and podoconiosis.