TABLE 4.
Hub genes selected by Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC) score.
| Official symbol | Official full name | MCC score | Function | Category |
| FN1 | Fibronectin 1 | 70 | The encoded protein is involved in cell adhesion and migration processes including embryogenesis, wound healing, blood coagulation, host defense, and metastasis (Cai et al., 2018) | ECM-related |
| CTGF | Connective tissue growth factor | 57 | The encoded protein plays a role in different biological processes, such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and wound healing, as well as multiple pathologies, such as tumor development and tissue fibrosis (Chen et al., 2020). | ECM-related |
| SPP1 | Secreted phosphoprotein 1 | 56 | The encoded protein is involved in wound healing, bone homeostasis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) (Lamort et al., 2019). | ECM-related |
| CCL2 | C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 | 33 | The encoded protein regulates the recruitment of osteoclast precursors to bone (Lorenzo, 2016). | Bone development |
| POSTN | Periostin | 28 | The encoded protein is a secreted extracellular matrix protein and involved in tissue development and regeneration, including wound healing, and ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction (Hamilton, 2008). | ECM-related |
| LGALS3 | Galectin 3 | 25 | The encoded protein plays a role in numerous cellular functions including apoptosis, innate immunity, cell adhesion, and T-cell regulation (Hsu et al., 2009). | Immune-related |
| THBS2 | Thrombospondin 2 | 24 | The encoded protein plays a role in mediates cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions (Yang et al., 2000). | ECM-related |
| PECAM1 | Platelet and Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 | 13 | The encoded protein is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is likely involved in leukocyte migration, angiogenesis, and integrin activation (Woodfin et al., 2007). | Immune-related |
| COL4A2 | Collagen Type IV Alpha 2 | 8 | The encoded protein is the major structural component of basement membranes (Loscertales et al., 2016). | ECM-related |
| TGF-β1 | Transforming Growth Factor Beta Induced | 7 | The encoded protein is an extracellular matrix protein and participates in many physiological processes including morphogenesis, adhesion/migration, angiogenesis, and inflammation (Ween et al., 2012). | ECM-related |