ObjectiveTo investigate the relation between disulfidptosis-related genes (DRGs) and prognosis or immunotherapy response of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). MethodsThe transcriptome data, somatic mutation data, and corresponding clinical information of the patients with PC in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were downloaded. The DRGs mutated in the PC were screened out from the 15 known DRGs. The DRGs subtypes were identified by consensus clustering algorithm, and then the relation between the identified DRGs subtypes and the prognosis of patients with PC, immune cell infiltration or functional enrichment pathway was analyzed. Further, a risk score was calculated according to the DRGs gene expression level, and the patients were categorized into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the mean value of the risk score. The risk score and overall survival of the patients with high-risk and low-risk were compared. Finally, the relation between the risk score and (or) tumor mutation burden (TMB) and the prognosis of patients with PC was assessed. ResultsThe transcriptome data and corresponding clinical information of the 177 patients with PC were downloaded from TCGA, including 161 patients with somatic mutation data. A total of 10 mutated DRGs were screened out. Two DRGs subtypes were identified, namely subtype A and subtype B. The overall survival of PC patients with subtype A was better than that of patients with subtype B (χ2=8.316, P=0.003). The abundance of immune cell infiltration in the PC patients with subtype A was higher and mainly enriched in the metabolic and conduction related pathways as compaired with the patients with subtype B. The mean risk score of 177 patients with PC was 1.921, including 157 cases in the high-risk group and 20 cases in the low-risk group. The risk score of patients with subtype B was higher than that of patients with subtype A (t=14.031, P<0.001). The overall survival of the low-risk group was better than that of the high-risk group (χ2=17.058, P<0.001), and the TMB value of the PC patients with high-risk was higher than that of the PC patients with low-risk (t=5.642, P=0.014). The mean TMB of 161 patients with somatic mutation data was 2.767, including 128 cases in the high-TMB group and 33 cases in the low-TMB group. The overall survival of patients in the high-TMB group was worse than that of patients in the low-TMB group (χ2=7.425, P=0.006). ConclusionDRGs are closely related to the prognosis and immunotherapy response of patients with PC, and targeted treatment of DRGs might potentially provide a new idea for the diagnosis and treatment of PC.
ObjectiveAlthough evidence links idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and diabetes mellitus (DM), the exact underlying common mechanism of its occurrence is unclear. This study aims to explore further the molecular mechanism between these two diseases. MethodsThe microarray data of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify co-expression genes related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus. Subsequently, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis and three public databases were employed to analyze and screen the gene targets related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed by Metascape. In addition, common microRNAs (miRNAs), common in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus, were obtained from the Human microRNA Disease Database (HMDD), and their target genes were predicted by miRTarbase. Finally, we constructed a common miRNAs-mRNAs network by using the overlapping genes of the target gene and the shared gene. ResultsThe results of common gene analysis suggested that remodeling of the extracellular matrix might be a key factor in the interconnection of DM and IPF. Finally, hub genes (MMP1, IL1R1, SPP1) were further screened. miRNA-gene network suggested that has-let-19a-3p may play a key role in the common molecular mechanism between IPF and DM. ConclusionsThis study provides new insights into the potential pathogenic mechanisms between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus. These common pathways and hub genes may provide new ideas for further experimental studies.
ObjectiveTo analyze the expression and clinical significance of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) in lung adenocarcinoma by bioinformatics.MethodsBased on the gene expression data of lung adenocarcinoma patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the differential expression of CDK1 in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and normal lung tissues was analyzed. The expression of CDK1 gene in lung adenocarcinoma was analyzed by UALCAN at different angles. Survival analysis of different levels of CDK1 gene expression in lung adenocarcinoma was performed using Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Correlation Cox analysis of CDK1 expression and overall survival was based on clinical data of lung adenocarcinoma in TCGA. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed on gene sequences related to CDK1 expression in clinical cases. The protein interaction network of CDK1 from Homo sapiens was obtained by STRING. CDK1-related gene proteins were obtained and analyzed by the web server Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA).ResultsBased on the analysis of TCGA gene expression data, CDK1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma was higher than that in normal lung tissues. UALCAN analysis showed that high CDK1 expression may be associated with smoking. Survival analysis indicated that when CDK1 gene was highly expressed, patients with lung adenocarcinoma had a poor prognosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis of CDK1 expression and overall survival showed that high CDK1 expression was an independent risk factor for survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that high CDK1 expression was closely related to DNA replication, cell cycle, cancer pathway and p53 signaling pathway.ConclusionCDK1 may be a potential molecular marker for prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, CDK1 regulation may play an important role in DNA replication, cell cycle, cancer pathway and p53 signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma.
ObjectiveTo explore the significance of mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) as a clinical prognostic evaluation index for patients with pancreatic cancer based on bioinformatics analysis.MethodsThe GSE28735 and GSE62452 gene chips from GEO database were downloaded and the difference of MET gene expression between cancer and adjacent cancerous tissues were analyzed by bioinformatics. We downloaded pancreatic cancer gene chip from TCGA database to analyze the correlation between MET gene expression and clinicopathological features of pancreatic cancer patients and prognosis risk. Finally, the possible molecular mechanism of MET involved in pancreatic carcinogenesis was analyzed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis.ResultsThe expression level of MET gene in pancreatic cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent cancerous tissues (P<0.001). The overall survival and disease-free survival of pancreatic cancer patients in the high MET gene expression group were lower than those in the low expression group (P<0.001). The expression level of MET gene was related to the age of pancreatic cancer patients, T stage, and histological grading of tumors (P<0.05), and high MET gene expression, age >65 years, and N1 stage were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that MET was mainly related to PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, FAK signaling pathway, and cancer transcription dysregulation and so on.ConclusionMET may be a valuable tumor marker for pancreatic cancer and can predict the poor prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer.
Objective To detect the expression and clinical significance of POLD1 gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) via bioinformatics method. Methods The expression difference of POLD1 in NSCLC tissue and normal lung tissue was investigated by TIMER database. UALCAN database was used to further verify different expression of POLD1 as well as the relationship between POLD1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of NSCLC. The correlation between POLD1 gene and prognosis of NSCLC patients was detected by GEPIA and TIMER database. cBioPortal database was used to analyze frequencies of POLD1 gene mutation. POLD1-related protein-protein interaction network was constructed by STRING database. The relationship between POLD1 and immune infiltration was based on TISIDB database. Results The expression of POLD1 gene in lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissue. In lung adenocarcinoma, patients with lower POLD1 level showed better prognosis. 1.2% of lung adenocarcinoma patients and 1.8% of lung squamous cell carcinoma patients carried mutated POLD1 gene, mainly missense mutations. POLD1 may interact with POLD2, POLD3, POLD4, POLE, RPA1, PCNA, MSH6, MSH2 and FEN1. The biological processes include DNA replication, mismatch repair, etc. Besides, the expression of POLD1 in NSCLC was correlated with the number of different immune cells. Conclusions The POLD1 gene is highly expressed in NSCLC patients, and negatively related with survival prognosis in patients of lung adenocarcinoma. POLD1 gene may be a potential diagnostic target and prognostic marker in NSCLC.
Objective To explore depression-related biomarkers and potential therapeutic drugs in order to alleviate depression symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life. Methods From November 2022 to January 2024, gene expression profiles of depression patients and healthy volunteers were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential expression analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes. Enrichment analysis of these genes was conducted, followed by the construction of a protein-protein interaction network. Finally, Cytoscape software with the Cytohubba plugin was used to identify potential key genes, and drug prediction was performed. Results Through differential expression analysis, a total of 110 differentially expressed genes (74 upregulated and 36 downregulated) were identified. Protein-protein interaction network identified 10 key genes, and differential expression analysis showed that 8 of these genes (CPA3, HDC, IL3RA, ENPP3, PTGDR2, VTN, SPP1, and SERPINE1) exhibited significant differences in expression levels between healthy volunteers and patients with depression (P<0.05). Enrichment analysis revealed that the upregulated genes were significantly enriched in pathways related to circadian rhythm, niacin and nicotinamide metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism, while the downregulated genes were primarily enriched in extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and interleukin-17 signaling pathways. Six overlapping verification genes (SALL2, AKAP12, GCSAML, CPA3, FCRL3, and MS4A3) were obtained across two datasets using the Wayn diagram. Single-cell sequencing analysis indicated that these genes were significantly expressed in astrocytes and neurons. Mendelian randomization analysis suggested that the FCRL3 gene might play a critical role in the development of depression. Drug prediction analysis revealed several potential antidepressant agents, such as cefotiam, harmol, lincomycin, and ribavirin. Conclusions Circadian rhythm, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism pathways may represent potential pathogenic mechanisms in depression. Harmol may be a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of depression.
Objective To explore the key genes, pathways and immune cell infiltration of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with ascending aortic dilation by bioinformatics analysis. Methods The data set GSE83675 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (up to May 12th, 2022). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted using R language. STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and identify hub genes. The proportion of immune cells infiltration was calculated by CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm. Results There were 199 DEGs identified, including 19 up-regulated DEGs and 180 down-regulated DEGs. GSEA showed that the main enrichment pathways were cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, pathways in cancer, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, chemokine signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Ten hub genes (EGFR, RIMS3, DLGAP2, RAPH1, CCNB3, CD3E, PIK3R5, TP73, PAK3, and AGAP2) were identified in PPI network. CIBERSORT analysis showed that activated natural killer cells were significantly higher in dilated aorta with BAV. Conclusions These identified key genes and pathways provide new insights into BAV aortopathy. Activated natural killer cells may participate in the dilation of ascending aorta with BAV.
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.
ObjectiveTo identify the core genes involved in the great saphenous varicose veins (GSVVs) through bioinformatics method. MethodsThe transcriptional data of GSVVs and normal great saphenous vein tissues (control tissues) were downloaded from the gene expression omnibus database. The single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to calculate the Hallmark score. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) combined with machine learning algorithms was used to screen the key genes relevant GSVVs. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed using the String database, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to reflect the discrimination ability of the target genes for GSVVs. ResultsCompared with the control tissues, there were 548 up-regulated genes and 706 down-regulated genes in the GSVVs tissues, the Hallmark points of KRAS signaling and apical junction were down-regulated, while which of peroxisomes, coagulation, reactive oxygen species pathways, etc. were up-regulated in the GSVVs tissues. A total of 639 differentially expressed genes relevant GSVVs were obtained and 165 interaction relations between proteins encoded by 372 genes, and the top 10 genes with the highest betweeness values, ADAM10, APP, NCBP2, SP1, ASB6, ADCY4, HP, UBE2C, QSOX1, and CXCL1, were located at the center of the interaction relation. And the core genes were mainly related to copper ion homeostasis, neutrophil degranulation G protein coupled receptor signaling, response to oxidative stress, and regulation of amide metabolism processes. The SP1 and QSOX1 were both Hub genes. The expressions of the SP1 and QSOX1 in the GSVVs tissues were significantly up-regulated as compared with the control tissues. The areas under the ROC curves of SP1 and QSOX1 in distinguishing GSVVs tissues from normal tissues were 0.972 and 1.000, respectively. ConclusionsSP1 and QSOX1 are core genes in the occurrence and development of GSVVs. Regulation of SP1 or QSOX1 gene is expected to achieve precise treatment of GSVVs.
Objective To explore the role of high endothelial venule (HEV) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the single cell level. Methods A total of 219257 cells from the lung tissues of 18 COPD patients and 28 healthy controls in the GEO public database (GSE136831) were used to analyze the relationship between HEV with T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and dendritic cells. Results Endothelial cells were extracted using single cell analysis technique, and sorting out venous endothelium, CCL14, IGFBP7, POSTN were used as marker genes for HEV endothelial cells. The ratio of HEV endothelial cells was also identified as up-regulated expression in COPD. The function of the differential genes of HEV endothelial cells was analyzed, suggesting the presence of immune regulation. By trajectory analysis, it was suggested that the differential genes of HEV endothelial cells were enriched for extracellular matrix deposition in late development. Finally, by receptor-ligand pairing, it was suggested that HEV endothelial cells was recruited through a series of ligands with T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and dendritic cells. Conclusions HEV endothelial cells are elevated in COPD and have an immunomodulatory role by secreting a series of ligands after recruiting T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes as well as dendritic cells for immune action. HEV may be a potential target for the study of COPD therapy.
