The differentially expressed proteins were associated with the following pathways: innate immune system, neutrophil degranulation, immune system, haemostasis, antimicrobial peptides, platelet activation, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, systemic lupus erythematosus, Toll-like receptor cascades, VEGF signalling, prion disease, terminal pathway of complement, defective pyroptosis, GTPase effectors, MAPK signalling, pertussis, axon guidance, alcoholism, MAPK events, and scavenging of heme from plasma (Figure 3, P < 0.05). This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and systemic lupus erythematosus.