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Liu G, Tan M, Liu R, Lu X, Jiang X, Bai Y, Guo Z, Lu F. Identification of the CDH18 gene associated with age-related macular degeneration using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Front Genet 2024; 15:1378340. [PMID: 39081806 PMCID: PMC11286549 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1378340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic and progressive macular degenerative disease that culminates in a gradual deterioration of central vision. Despite its prevalence, the key biomarkers for AMD have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to efficiently identify biomarkers crucial for diagnosing AMD. Methods: Three datasets pertaining to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid tissues associated with AMD were selected from the GEO database. The GSE50195 dataset was utilized to conduct weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) for identifying module genes linked to AMD. KEGG and GO enrichment analyses were subsequently conducted on these module genes. GSE29801 and GSE135092 datasets were subjected to differential expression analysis to pinpoint the DEGs intersecting with the module genes. Subsequently, wet AMD (wAMD) and dry AMD (dAMD) mouse models were developed, from which RPE/choroid tissues were harvested to validate the hub genes via RT-qPCR and Western blot. Results: Using the WGCNA, we selected the "antiquewhite4" module (r = 0.91 and p = 7e-07), which contains a total of 325 genes. Through the intersection of module genes with DEGs, nine hub genes were identified. Pathways involved in complement and coagulation cascades, ECM-receptor interactions, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and fatty acid elongation play important roles in AMD. Notably, CDH18 demonstrated notable variance across all three datasets. Post validation using RT-qPCR experiments revealed a significant downregulation of CDH18 in both dAMD and wAMD. EGLN3 was expressed at low levels in wAMD. In dAMD, EYA2, LTB, and PODXL were significantly downregulated, whereas APOC1 was notably upregulated. Western blot confirmed that CDH18 was lowly expressed in dAMD and wAMD mouse models. Conclusion: CDH18 was identified as the key gene involved in the pathogenesis of AMD. An imbalance of the complement and coagulation cascades is a potential mechanism of AMD. This study provides a novel idea for diagnosing and treating AMD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guina Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingqi Tan
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuejin Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunpeng Bai
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhigang Guo
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Baranova I, Kovarikova H, Laco J, Sedlakova I, Vrbacky F, Kovarik D, Hejna P, Palicka V, Chmelarova M. Identification of a four-gene methylation biomarker panel in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Clin Chem Lab Med 2021; 58:1332-1340. [PMID: 32145055 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2019-1319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background The lack of effective biomarkers for the screening and early detection of ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most pressing problems in oncogynecology. Because epigenetic alterations occur early in the cancer development, they provide great potential to serve as such biomarkers. In our study, we investigated a potential of a four-gene methylation panel (including CDH13, HNF1B, PCDH17 and GATA4 genes) for the early detection of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Methods For methylation detection we used methylation sensitive high-resolution melting analysis and real-time methylation specific analysis. We also investigated the relation between gene hypermethylation and gene relative expression using the 2-ΔΔCt method. Results The sensitivity of the examined panel reached 88.5%. We were able to detect methylation in 85.7% (12/14) of early stage tumors and in 89.4% (42/47) of late stage tumors. The total efficiency of the panel was 94.4% and negative predictive value reached 90.0%. The specificity and positive predictive value achieved 100% rates. Our results showed lower gene expression in the tumor samples in comparison to control samples. The more pronounced downregulation was measured in the group of samples with detected methylation. Conclusions In our study we designed the four-gene panel for HGSOC detection in ovarian tissue with 100% specificity and sensitivity of 88.5%. The next challenge is translation of the findings to the less invasive source for biomarker examination, such as plasma. Our results indicate that combination of examined genes deserve consideration for further testing in clinical molecular diagnosis of HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Baranova
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Helena Kovarikova
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Laco
- The Fingerland Department of Pathology, Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Sedlakova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Vrbacky
- The 4th Department of Internal Medicine - Hematology, Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Dalibor Kovarik
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Hejna
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Palicka
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Marcela Chmelarova
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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