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Liu X, Yang M, Li J, Liu H, Dong Y, Zheng J, Huang Y. Identification of CFH and FHL2 as biomarkers for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1363643. [PMID: 38784225 PMCID: PMC11111937 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1363643] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease of unknown etiology with a poor prognosis, characterized by a lack of effective diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The role of immunity in the pathogenesis of IPF is significant, yet remains inadequately understood. This study aimed to identify potential key genes in IPF and their relationship with immune cells by integrated bioinformatics analysis and verify by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Methods Gene microarray data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) for differential expression analysis. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and subjected to functional enrichment analysis. By utilizing a combination of three machine learning algorithms, specific genes associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) were pinpointed. Then their diagnostic significance and potential co-regulators were elucidated. We further analyzed the correlation between key genes and immune infiltrating cells via single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Subsequently, a single-cell RNA sequencing data (scRNA-seq) was used to explore which cell types expressed key genes in IPF samples. Finally, a series of in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to validate the expression of candidate genes by western blot (WB), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Results A total of 647 DEGs of IPF were identified based on two datasets, including 225 downregulated genes and 422 upregulated genes. They are closely related to biological functions such as cell migration, structural organization, immune cell chemotaxis, and extracellular matrix. CFH and FHL2 were identified as key genes with diagnostic accuracy for IPF by three machine learning algorithms. Analysis using ssGSEA revealed a significant association of both CFH and FHL2 with diverse immune cells, such as B cells and NK cells. Further scRNA-seq analysis indicated CFH and FHL2 were specifically upregulated in human IPF tissues, which was confirmed by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Conclusion In this study, CFH and FHL2 have been identified as novel potential biomarkers for IPF, with potential diagnostic utility in future clinical applications. Subsequent investigations into the functions of these genes in IPF and their interactions with immune cells may enhance comprehension of the disease's pathogenesis and facilitate the identification of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingchen Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayu Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hangxu Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchao Dong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianming Zheng
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Hu W, Xu Y. Transcriptomics in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis unveiled: a new perspective from differentially expressed genes to therapeutic targets. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1375171. [PMID: 38566986 PMCID: PMC10985171 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1375171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The underlying molecular pathways of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung condition with a high death rate, are still mostly unknown. By using microarray datasets, this study aims to identify new genetic targets for IPF and provide light on the genetic factors that contribute to the development of IPF. Method We conducted a comprehensive analysis of three independent IPF datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, employing R software for data handling and normalization. Our evaluation of the relationships between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and IPF included differential expression analysis, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis, and Mendelian Randomization(MR) analyses. Additionally, we used Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Ontology (GO)/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis to explore the functional roles and pathways of these genes. Finally, we validated the results obtained for the target genes. Results We identified 486 highly expressed genes and 468 lowly expressed genes that play important roles in IPF. MR analysis identified six significantly co-expressed genes associated with IPF, specifically C12orf75, SPP1, ZG16B, LIN7A, PPP1R14A, and TLR2. These genes participate in essential biological processes and pathways, including macrophage activation and neural system regulation. Additionally, CIBERSORT analysis indicated a unique immune cell distribution in IPF, emphasized the significance of immunological processes in the disease. The MR analysis was consistent with the results of the analysis of variance in the validation cohort, which strengthens the reliability of our MR findings. Conclusion Our findings provide new insights into the molecular basis of IPF and highlight the promise of therapeutic interventions. They emphasize the potential of targeting specific molecular pathways for the treatment of IPF, laying the foundation for further research and clinical work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhong Hu
- Guang’anmen Hospital South Campus, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Xu
- People's Hospital of Beijing Daxing District, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Soccio P, Moriondo G, d'Alessandro M, Scioscia G, Bergantini L, Gangi S, Tondo P, Foschino Barbaro MP, Cameli P, Bargagli E, Lacedonia D. Role of BAL and Serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) in Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Biomedicines 2024; 12:269. [PMID: 38397871 PMCID: PMC10886706 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) encompass a diverse group of disorders affecting the lung interstitium, leading to inflammation, fibrosis, and impaired respiratory function. Currently, the identification of new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for ILDs turns out to be necessary. Several studies show the role of KL-6 in various types of interstitial lung disease and suggest that serum KL-6 levels can be used as a prognostic marker of disease. The aim of this study was to analyze KL-6 expression either in serum or bronchoalveolar lavage samples in order to: (i) make a serum vs. BAL comparison; (ii) better understand the local behavior of fibrosis vs. the systemic one; and (iii) evaluate any differences in patients with progressive fibrosis (PPF) versus patients with non-progressive fibrosis (nPPF). Methods: We used qRT-PCR to detect KL-6 expression both in serum and BAL samples. Mann-Whitney's U test was used to compare the differential expression between groups. Results: In serum, KL-6 is more highly expressed in PPF than in non-progressive fibrosis (p = 0.0295). This difference is even more significant in BAL (p < 0.001). Therefore, it is clear that KL-6 values are related to disease progression. Significant differences were found by making a comparison between BAL and serum. KL-6 was markedly higher in serum than BAL (p = 0.0146). Conclusions: This study identifies KL-6 as a promising biomarker for the severity of the fibrosing process and disease progression in ILDs, with significantly higher levels observed in PPF compared to nPPF. Moreover, the marked difference in KL-6 levels between serum and BAL emphasizes its potential diagnostic and prognostic relevance, providing enlightening insights into both the local and systemic aspects of ILDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piera Soccio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Giorgia Moriondo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Miriana d'Alessandro
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Scioscia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Riuniti of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Laura Bergantini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Sara Gangi
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Pasquale Tondo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Cameli
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Bargagli
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Donato Lacedonia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Riuniti of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
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Hou J, Yang Y, Han X. Machine Learning and Single-Cell Analysis Identify Molecular Features of IPF-Associated Fibroblast Subtypes and Their Implications on IPF Prognosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:94. [PMID: 38203265 PMCID: PMC10778894 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating lung disease of unknown cause, and the involvement of fibroblasts in its pathogenesis is well recognized. However, a comprehensive understanding of fibroblasts' heterogeneity, their molecular characteristics, and their clinical relevance in IPF is lacking. In this study, we aimed to systematically classify fibroblast populations, uncover the molecular and biological features of fibroblast subtypes in fibrotic lung tissue, and establish an IPF-associated, fibroblast-related predictive model for IPF. Herein, a meticulous analysis of scRNA-seq data obtained from lung tissues of both normal and IPF patients was conducted to identify fibroblast subpopulations in fibrotic lung tissues. In addition, hdWGCNA was utilized to identify co-expressed gene modules associated with IPF-related fibroblasts. Furthermore, we explored the prognostic utility of signature genes for these IPF-related fibroblast subtypes using a machine learning-based approach. Two predominant fibroblast subpopulations, termed IPF-related fibroblasts, were identified in fibrotic lung tissues. Additionally, we identified co-expressed gene modules that are closely associated with IPF-fibroblasts by utilizing hdWGCNA. We identified gene signatures that hold promise as prognostic markers in IPF. Moreover, we constructed a predictive model specifically focused on IPF-fibroblasts which can be utilized to assess disease prognosis in IPF patients. These findings have the potential to improve disease prediction and facilitate targeted interventions for patients with IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwei Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Canter of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
| | | | - Xin Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Canter of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
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He J, Hu J, Liu H. A three-gene random forest model for diagnosing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis based on circadian rhythm-related genes in lung tissue. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:1307-1320. [PMID: 38285622 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2024.2311262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The disorder of circadian rhythm could be a key factor mediating fibrotic lung disease Therefore, our study aims to determine the diagnostic value of circadian rhythm-related genes (CRRGs) in IPF. METHODS We retrieved the data on CRRGs from previous studies and the GSE150910 dataset. The participants from the GSE150910 dataset were divided into training and internal validation sets. Next, we used several various bioinformatics methods and machine learning algorithms to screen genes. Next, we identified SEMA5A, COL7A1, and TUBB3, which were included in the random forest (RF) diagnostic model. Finally, external validation was conducted on data retrieved from the GSE184316 datasets. RESULTS The results revealed that the RF diagnostic model could diagnose patients with IPF in the internal validation set with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of 0.905 and in the external validation with the AUC value of 0.767. Furthermore, real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting results revealed a significant decrease in SEMA5A (p < 0.05) expression level and an increase in COL7A1 and TUBB3 expression levels in TGF-β1-treated normal human lung fibroblasts. CONCLUSION We constructed an RF diagnostic model based on SEMA5A, COL7A1, and TUBB3 expression in lung tissue for diagnosing patients with IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie He
- Clinical Medical College of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Clinical Medical College of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hairong Liu
- Clinical Medical College of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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