Fig. 1

Overexpression of CTGF in RA patients. A The different expression of CTGF in FLSs of RA patients (n = 50) and HCs (n = 10) were identified by automated 2D-Nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS. The amino acid coverage of identified CTGF sequence is shown with the appraisal sequence in yellow. B The normalized spectrum count of CTGF in RA patients and HCs. C The level of CTGF in the synovial tissues of inactive RA patients (DAS28 < 3.32, n = 45), active RA patients (DAS28 > 3.32, n = 47), and HCs (n = 50) were detected by qPCR. D The level of CTGF in the FLS of RA patients (n = 16) and HCs (n = 16) was detected by qPCR. E The concentration of the serum CTGF from RA patients (n = 100) and HCs (n = 100) was determined by ELISA. F The expression of the CTGF of synovial tissue sections from RA patients and health controls were determined by IHC with a magnification of × 200