Table 1. ECM/cell adhesion genes differentially expressed compared to the high outflow regions.

Unless otherwise noted with a citation, the function of genes was determined using GeneCards^®, the human gene database or UniProtKB/Swiss site.

Gene	Protein Name	Function	Log2 FC	Adj p value
ADAM15	ADAM metallopeptidase domain 15	Metalloproteinase that binds β1 and β3 integrins and cleaves E-and N-cadherins and collagens	+0.7	0.005
SPANXA1	Sperm protein associated with the nucleus on the chromosome, family member A1	Suppresses EMT and upregulates E-cadherin expression [38]	+0.5	0.02
NPNT	Nephronectin	α8β1 integrin ligand	-1.0	0.04
GYPA	Glycophorin A	Pathogen receptor, impairs cell adhesion, may interact with integrins [39, 40]	-1.0	0.03
PNN	Pinin	Desmosome protein	-1.2	0.02
ADAMTS3	ADAM Metallopeptidase with Thrombospondin Type 1 Motif 3	Disintegrin and metalloproteinase; regulates type II collagen fibrillogenesis, cleaves VEGF-C [41]	-1.2	0.02
MPP2	MAGUK p55 scaffold protein 2	Organizes synapsis signaling with cell adhesion molecules	-1.2	0.03
GPR4	G protein-coupled receptor 4	Increases vascular permeability, VCAM mediated cell-cell adhesion; regulates focal adhesion dynamics. Pro-inflammatory receptor.	-1.3	0.02
PPFIA4	PTPRF interacting protein alpha 4 (Liprin-alpha)	Phosphatase; regulates disassembly of focal adhesions	-1.3	0.03
BGN	Biglycan	Small leucine-rich proteoglycan; crosslinks collagen fibrils and a DAMP for TLR4	-1.4	0.03
CRKL	CRK like proto-oncogene	Adaptor protein mediates focal adhesion formation, growth factor, integrin and cytokine signaling [42]	-1.6	0.03
LDB3	PDLIM6 (ZASP)	Stabilizes structural integrity of sarcomere during contraction; binds α-actinin; regulates α5β1 integrin activation [43]	-1.6	0.006