Table 1 Details of seven hub genes

CXCL8

C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8

This chemokine is a potent angiogenic factor.

THBS1

thrombospondin 1

This protein has been shown to play roles in platelet aggregation, angiogenesis, and tumorigenesis.

COL3A1

collagen type III alpha 1 chain

Mutations in this gene are associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome types IV, and with aortic and arterial aneurysms.

TIMP3

TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 3

The proteins encoded by this gene family are inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases, a group of peptidases involved in degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM).

KIT

KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase

Mutations in this gene are associated with gastrointestinal stromal tumors, mast cell disease, acute myelogenous lukemia and piebaldism.

DCN

decorin

Binding of this protein to multiple cell surface receptors mediates its role in tumor suppression, including a stimulatory effect on autophagy and inflammation and an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis and tumorigenesis.

IGFBP5

insulin like growth factor binding protein 5

IGF-binding proteins prolong the half-life of the IGFs and have been shown to either inhibit or stimulate the growth promoting effects of the IGFs on cell culture.