UCMA and rheumatoid arthritis: Gla-rich protein (GRP), also known as upper zone of growth plate and cartilage matrix associated protein (UCMA), is a vitamin K-dependent protein (VKDP) that plays significant roles in several processes related to the development of CIDs such as CVD, OA, rheumatoid arthritis, and CKD [9,10,11,12,13].