ObjectiveTo screen differential expression of genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by bioinformatics method, and analyze its clinical significance and its possible molecular mechanism in HCC.MethodsThe HCC gene expression profile GSE101728 was picked out to analyze the differential expression genes. The hub genes were identified by STRING and Cytoscape. GO and KEGG analysis were carried out by using DAVID and PPI network were constructed by STRING. The relationship among the hub genes were analyzed by using GEPIA.ResultsA total of 1 082 DEGs were captured (354 up-regulated genes and 728 down-regulated genes). Meantime, 10 hub genes ［cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), cyclin A2 (CCNA2), polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), laser kinase B (AURKB), cyclin of cell division 20 (CDC20), centromere protein A (CENPA), mitotic arrest defective protein 2 (MAD2L1), cyclin B2 (CCNB2), and kinesin family 2C (KIF2C)］ were identified, and its expression and clinical significance were verified by GEPIA. GO and KEGG analysis showed 10 hub genes were mainly enriched in cell division and cell cycle. Expressions of AURKB, CCNB1, and MAD2L1 were obviously positively correlated (P<0.05).ConclusionThis study analyzes the hub genes in the development of HCC by bioinformatics methods and provides valuable information for further research on the mechanism of HCC.
Objective To analyze the relationship between the expression of carbonic anhydrase 3 (CA3) in breast cancer tissues, its prognostic potential and the number of immune cells by a variety of online databases. Methods GEPIA2.0 and TIMER databases were used to analyze the difference of CA3 mRNA expression in breast cancer tissues. Bc-GenExMinerv4.7 database was used to analyze the difference of CA3 mRNA expression in breast cancer subcategories. Kaplan-Meier plotter, Bc-GenExMinerv4.7 and PrognoScan databases were used to analyze the effect of CA3 mRNA expression levels on prognosis of patient. LinkedOmics database was used to analyze of the biological behavior involved in CA3 co-expressed genes. TIMER database was used to analyze the relationship between CA3 mRNA expression and immune cells infiltration in breast cancer tissues. Results The expression of CA3 mRNA in breast cancer tissues was lower than that in normal breast tissues (P<0.05), and the expression levels of CA3 mRNA were higher in ER negative (P<0.05), PR negative (P<0.05), HER2 negative (P<0.05) and no lymphatic metastasis (P<0.05). In addition, the expression level of CA3 in breast cancer patients with high Ki67 expression was lower (P<0.05) and closely related to SBR and NPI grade (P<0.05). Breast cancer patients with low expression of CA3 mRNA had lower overall survivall, recurrence free survival, and disease free survival ( P<0.05). Ten of the top 50 positively correlated co-expressed genes screened out had low risk ratio (P<0.05), and 11 of the top 50 negatively correlated co-expressed genes screened out had high risk ratio (P<0.05). The expression of CA3 mRNA was positively correlated with CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in breast cancer tissues (rs=0.175, P<0.001; rs=0.137, P<0.001), and negatively correlated with T cell failure markers LAG3, TIM-3 and PVRL2 (rs=–0.100, P<0.01; rs=–0.143, P<0.001; rs=–0.082, P<0.05). Conclusions The low expression of CA3 mRNA in breast cancer tissues is correlated with the occurrence, development and prognosis of breast cancer. CA3 can be used as a potential independent prognostic marker for breast cancer and may be related to immune infiltration.
Objective To explore the aberrantly expressed genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their relationship with prognosis of HCC through bioinformatics analysis. Methods Five datasets related to HCC were selected from the GeneExpression Omnibus database to explore differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by further gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. The co-upregulated genes CNIH4 and TOMM40 were selected to explore the differences in their expressions in HCC tissues and normal tissues, and to explore the relationship between their expressions and the 5-year survival of patients by using TCGA database. Tissues and paraneoplastic tissues of eight cases of HCC who underwent surgery at the Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital were collected to verify the expression differences of CNIH4 and TOMM40L mRNA. Results A total of 25 up-regulated genes and 21 down-regulated genes were identified in this study. The results of GO analysis and KEGG analysis indicated that DEGs were mainly related to catabolism, cell division, DNA replication and repair. The results of TCGA database analysis showed that the expression of up-regulated genes CNIH4 mRNA and TOMM40L mRNA were up-regulated in HCC tissues as compared with normal tissues (P<0.05) and that the 5-year survival of patients in the high expression group was worse than that in the low expression group (P<0.05). The results of clinical samples showed that CNIH4 mRNA and TOMM40L mRNA were up-regulated in HCC tissues as compared with paraneoplastic tissues. Conclusion CNIH4 and TOMM40L genes are up-regulated in HCC tissues, and their high expressions are associated with poor prognosis, and may be potential biomarkers and prognostic indicators for HCC.
ObjectiveTo observe the expressions of miR-143-3p in gastric cancer cells and gastric carcinoma tissues with its clinical significance, and to analyze the target genes with enriched pathway by using bioinformatics methods.MethodsThe expressions of miR-143-3p in different differentiation gastric cancer cells and normal gastric mucosa cell line, and the expressions in gastric cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. In addition, OncomiR and YM500 databases were used to analyze the expression of miR-143-3p in gastric cancer tissues compared with adjacent tissues. Furthermore, the targets of miR-143-3p were predicted by using the software of miRecords website database, and at least three software-supported target genes were chosen to analyze the enriched the signal pathways in which the target gene was involved with DAVID 6.7 software.ResultsThe expressions of miR-143-3p in the different differentiation degree of gastric cancer cells compared with normal gastric mucosa cell line were downregulated (P<0.001), and the expression of miR-143-3p in gastric cancer tissues compared with adjacent tissues was also downregulated (downregulated in 36 cases, upregulated in 18 cases, and no alteration in 4 cases). The expression of miR-143-3p in gastric cancer tissues was associated with lymph node metastasis and invasion depth (P<0.05). Bioinformatics analysis results showed that the target genes of miR-143-3p were enriched in 38 signaling pathways associated with cancer.ConclusionMiR-143-3p is a down-regulated molecular marker in gastric cancer and a potentially clinically related tumor suppressor gene, which may be involved in the cancerous phenotype in carcinogenesis and development of gastric cancer.
Objective To explore key genes and mechanisms of depression aggravating Crohn disease. Methods In March 2023, the Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base and Gene Expression Omnibus database were used to identify the overlapping differentially expressed genes between Crohn disease and depression and the key genes were screened by Metascape, STRING, Cytoscape, and protein interaction network analysis. The Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to analyze the correlations between key genes and clinical pathologies such as Crohn Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity and intestinal microvilli length. Results There were 137 overlapping differentially expressed genes between Crohn disease and depression, and 25 key genes were further screened out. Among them, CREB1, FKBP5, MAPT, NTSR1, OXTR, PROK2, POMC, HTR2B, and PPARGC1A genes were significantly correlated with multiple clinical parameters. The functions of PROK2 and PROK2-related genes were mainly enriched in neutrophil and granulocyte migration, neutrophil and granulocyte chemotaxis, etc. Conclusions There are 25 key genes, especially CREB1, FKBP5, MAPT, NTSR1, OXTR, PROK2, POMC, HTR2B, and PPARGC1A, that possibly contribute to the establishment and deterioration of Crohn disease caused by depressive disorder. Among these genes, PROK2 showes the possibility of regulating immune cell (neutrophils and CD8+ T cells) infiltration.
Objective A series of bioinformatics methods were used to identify ferroptosis related biomarkers in lupus nephritis (LN). Methods We retrieved sequencing data of GSE112943 from the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database and screened LN differentially expressed genes. We searched for ferroptosis-related gene (FRG) through FerrDb database, and screened LN-FRG. We conducted enrichment analysis on the LN-FRGs using David online bioinformatics database and screened the core LN-FRG using cytoHubba. We used external data sets to verify the core LN-FRGs, constructed competing endogenous RNA networks, and conducted molecular docking analysis. Results A total of 37 LN-FRGs were selected through screening. These genes are mainly enriched in inflammation, immune regulation and ferroptosis related signaling pathways. Through the cytoHubba and external dataset validation, the key core LN-FRG of ATF3 (activating transcription factor 3) was ultimately identified, and its expression was significantly increased in LN (P<0.05). Molecular docking analysis showed that ATF3 was closely bound to SLC7A11 and NRF2, and may participate in the occurrence and development of LN through the microRNA-27-ATF3 regulation axis. Conclusion The pivotal gene ATF3 may participate in the inflammation and immune injury of LN through ferroptosis.
ObjectiveTo explore the functional heterogeneity of T lymphocytes in various organs after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Using the public database GEO data (GSE171668, GSE159812, GSE159556, GSE167747) and the analysis method of single-cell technology, the functional differences of T lymphocytes in various organs of patients after infection with SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed. Results Through single-cell data extraction of 16 livers, 19 hearts,2 spleens, 6 brains, 58 lungs, 21 kidneys and 5 pancreases from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, invasion genes were relatively highly expressed in T lymphocytes of the lung and pancreas. The lung had a special ability to express the interferon signaling pathway, while the expression of other organs was relatively low; at the same time, the T lymphocytes of the lung also highly expressed fatty acid binding sites. Conclusion After SARS-CoV-2 infection, compared with other organs, the lung has a special interferon-activated signaling pathway and fatty acid binding site.
Objective To screen the key genes in childhood therapy-resistant asthma by bioinformatic method, and to verify its expression and diagnostic value in peripheral blood of children with therapy-resistant asthma. Methods The transcriptome dataset GSE27011 of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy children (healthy control group), mild asthma (MA) children (MA group) and severe asthma (SA) children (SA group) was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus of the National Center for Biotechnology Information of the United States. Key genes were obtained by using R software for gene differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and clinical phenotypic correlation analysis. The differential expression levels of key genes were verified in children with asthma and immune cell transcriptome datasets. Seventy-eight children with asthma and 30 healthy children who were diagnosed in the Department of Pediatrics of Tangshan People’s Hospital between September 2020 and September 2021 were selected and divided into control group, MA group and SA group. Peripheral blood samples from children with asthma and healthy children who underwent physical examination were collected to detect the expression levels of key genes and inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17 in peripheral blood of children. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of key genes in predicting childhood therapy-resistant asthma. Results The key gene GNA15 was obtained by bioinformatic analysis. Analysis of asthma validation dataset showed that GNA15 was up-regulated in asthma groups, and was specifically expressed in eosinophils. Clinical results showed that the expression levels of IL-4, IL-17 and GNA15 among the three groups were significantly different (P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-4 and IL-17 in the MA group and the SA group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group and the MA group, the expression level of GNA15 in the SA group was up-regulated (P<0.05). Neither the difference in the expression level of IL-4 or IL-17 between the MA group and the SA group, nor the difference in the expression level of GNA15 between the control group and the MA group was statistically significant (P>0.05). The specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of GNA15 in predicting SA were 92.90%, 80.00% and 86.10%, respectively. Conclusion GNA15 has a significant clinical value in predicting the childhood therapy-resistant asthma, and may become a potential diagnostic marker for predicting the severity of asthma in children.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical significance and possible potential mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma through the screening of key genes in hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsHepatocellular carcinoma gene chip was obtained from GEO database, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by GEO2R online tools and Venn map, GO analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were performed in DAVID database, core genes were screened by STRING and Cytscape software, core genes were analyzed in Kaplan-Meier Plotter for survival analysis, and expression was analyzed by GEPIA database. The core genes related to prognosis and highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma were analyzed by Metascape online tool for function and pathway enrichment analysis. Finally, the key genes were verified in hepatocellular carcinoma and paracancerous tissues.ResultsA total of 94 DEGs were screened from three gene chips GSE14520, GSE60502, and GSE102079, obtained from GEO. After the selected DEGs was analyzed by GO function analysis, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, STRING and Cytscape software by DAVID, 19 core DEGs were screened. After 19 core DEGs were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier Plotter website, 9 genes [ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2), polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), topoisomerase Ⅱ alpha (TOP2A), aurora kinase A (AURKA), nucleolar spindle-associated protein 1 (NUSAP1), Rac-GTPase activating protein 1 (RACGAP1), abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated (ASPM), cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and GINS complex subunit 1 (GINS1)] were found to be associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The expressions of these 9 genes were analyzed by GEPIA, and the results showed that all 9 genes were highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. The functions and pathways of 9 highly expressed genes were analyzed by metascape website. Finally, RRM2 was selected for verification in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues, and it was found that the staining score of RRM2 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was (10.9±1.5) points, which was significantly higher than its staining score in adjacent tissues [(4.5±1.2) points], P<0.001.ConclusionThe nine genes identified by bioinformatics analysis may be the key genes in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma, which can provide reference for further study on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Objective To analyze the pathways, biomarkers and diagnostic genes of systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) using bioinformatics. Methods SSc-ILD related gene data sets from April to June 2023 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database for differential analysis and enrichment analyses including gene ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, disease ontology analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and support vector machine algorithms were applied to screen and take the intersection to get the diagnostic genes and validate the results. Disease-related data were analyzed by immune cell infiltration. Results A total of 178 differential genes were obtained, and enrichment analyses showed that they were related to 5 signaling pathways and associated with 3 diseases. The diagnostic genes screened were TNFAIP3, ID3, and NT5DC2, and immune cell infiltration showed that the diagnostic genes were associated with plasma cells, resting mast cells, activated natural killer cells, macrophage M1 and M2, resting dendritic cells, and activated dendritic cells. Conclusion The screened diagnostic genes and immune cells may be involved in the development of SSc-ILD.