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Zhang Z, Liu X, Zhang S, Song Z, Lu K, Yang W. A review and analysis of key biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1358998. [PMID: 38445255 PMCID: PMC10912539 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1358998] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 50 million elderly individuals worldwide. Although the pathogenesis of AD is not fully understood, based on current research, researchers are able to identify potential biomarker genes and proteins that may serve as effective targets against AD. This article aims to present a comprehensive overview of recent advances in AD biomarker identification, with highlights on the use of various algorithms, the exploration of relevant biological processes, and the investigation of shared biomarkers with co-occurring diseases. Additionally, this article includes a statistical analysis of key genes reported in the research literature, and identifies the intersection with AD-related gene sets from databases such as AlzGen, GeneCard, and DisGeNet. For these gene sets, besides enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks utilized to identify central genes among the overlapping genes. Enrichment analysis, protein interaction network analysis, and tissue-specific connectedness analysis based on GTEx database performed on multiple groups of overlapping genes. Our work has laid the foundation for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of AD and more accurate identification of key AD markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi, China
- College of Medical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Xiangtao Liu
- College of Medical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Suixia Zhang
- College of Medical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
- College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Zhixin Song
- College of Medical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang Medical University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Ke Lu
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi, China
| | - Wenzhong Yang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Ürümqi, China
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Zhu M, Tang M, Du Y. Identification of TAC1 Associated with Alzheimer's Disease Using a Robust Rank Aggregation Approach. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 91:1339-1349. [PMID: 36617784 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) brings heavy burden to society and family. There is an urgent need to find effective methods for disease diagnosis and treatment. The robust rank aggregation (RRA) approach that could aggregate the resulting gene lists has been widely utilized in genomic data analysis. OBJECTIVE To identify hub genes using RRA approach in AD. METHODS Seven microarray datasets in frontal cortex from GEO database were used to identify differential expressed genes (DEGs) in AD patients using RRA approach. STRING was performed to explore the protein-to-protein interaction (PPI). Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were utilized for enrichment analysis. Human Gene Connectome and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were used for functional annotation. Finally, the expression levels of hub genes were validated in the cortex of 5xFAD mice by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS After RRA analysis, 473 DEGs (216 upregulated and 257 downregulated) were identified in AD samples. PPI showed that DEGs had a total of 416 nodes and 2750 edges. These genes were divided into 17 clusters, each of which contains at least three genes. After functional annotation and enrichment analysis, TAC1 is identified as the hub gene and may be related to synaptic function and inflammation. In addition, Tac1 was found downregulated in cortices of 5xFAD mice. CONCLUSION In the current study, TAC1 is identified as a key gene in the frontal cortex of AD, providing insight into the possible pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Minglu Tang
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neurology (Cognitive sleep ward), Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifeng Du
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
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The Protein Network in Subcutaneous Fat Biopsies from Patients with AL Amyloidosis: More Than Diagnosis? Cells 2023; 12:cells12050699. [PMID: 36899835 PMCID: PMC10000381 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050699] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
AL amyloidosis is caused by the misfolding of immunoglobulin light chains leading to an impaired function of tissues and organs in which they accumulate. Due to the paucity of -omics profiles from undissected samples, few studies have addressed amyloid-related damage system wide. To fill this gap, we evaluated proteome changes in the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue of patients affected by the AL isotypes κ and λ. Through our retrospective analysis based on graph theory, we have herein deduced new insights representing a step forward from the pioneering proteomic investigations previously published by our group. ECM/cytoskeleton, oxidative stress and proteostasis were confirmed as leading processes. In this scenario, some proteins, including glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), tubulins and the TRiC complex, were classified as biologically and topologically relevant. These and other results overlap with those already reported for other amyloidoses, supporting the hypothesis that amyloidogenic proteins could induce similar mechanisms independently of the main fibril precursor and of the target tissues/organs. Of course, further studies based on larger patient cohorts and different tissues/organs will be essential, which would be a key point that would allow for a more robust selection of the main molecular players and a more accurate correlation with clinical aspects.
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Shu J, Wei W, Zhang L. Identification of Molecular Signatures and Candidate Drugs in Vascular Dementia by Bioinformatics Analyses. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:751044. [PMID: 35221911 PMCID: PMC8873373 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.751044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular dementia (VaD) is considered to be the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, and no specific drugs have been approved for VaD treatment. We aimed to identify shared transcriptomic signatures between the frontal cortex and temporal cortex in VaD by bioinformatics analyses. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses, protein–protein interaction (PPI) and hub gene identification, hub gene–transcription factor interaction, hub gene–microRNA interaction, and hub gene–drug interaction analyses were performed. We identified 159 overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the frontal cortex and temporal cortex that were enriched mainly in inflammation and innate immunity, synapse pruning, regeneration, positive regulation of angiogenesis, response to nutrient levels, and positive regulation of the digestive system process. We identified 10 hub genes in the PPI network (GNG13, CD163, C1QA, TLR2, SST, C1QB, ITGB2, CCR5, CRH, and TAC1), four central regulatory transcription factors (FOXC1, CREB1, GATA2, and HINFP), and four microRNAs (miR-27a-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-335-5p, and miR-129-2-3p). Hub gene–drug interaction analysis found four drugs (maraviroc, cenicriviroc, PF-04634817, and efalizumab) that could be potential drugs for VaD treatment. Together, our results may contribute to understanding the underlying mechanisms in VaD and provide potential targets and drugs for therapeutic intervention.
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Li QS, Vasanthakumar A, Davis JW, Idler KB, Nho K, Waring JF, Saykin AJ. Association of peripheral blood DNA methylation level with Alzheimer's disease progression. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:191. [PMID: 34654479 PMCID: PMC8518178 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01179-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identifying biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression may enable patient enrichment and improve clinical trial designs. Epigenome-wide association studies have revealed correlations between DNA methylation at cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites and AD pathology and diagnosis. Here, we report relationships between peripheral blood DNA methylation profiles measured using Infinium® MethylationEPIC BeadChip and AD progression in participants from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort. Results The rate of cognitive decline from initial DNA sampling visit to subsequent visits was estimated by the slopes of the modified Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (mPACC; mPACCdigit and mPACCtrailsB) and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) plots using robust linear regression in cognitively normal (CN) participants and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), respectively. In addition, diagnosis conversion status was assessed using a dichotomized endpoint. Two CpG sites were significantly associated with the slope of mPACC in CN participants (P < 5.79 × 10−8 [Bonferroni correction threshold]); cg00386386 was associated with the slope of mPACCdigit, and cg09422696 annotated to RP11-661A12.5 was associated with the slope of CDR-SB. No significant CpG sites associated with diagnosis conversion status were identified. Genes involved in cognition and learning were enriched. A total of 19, 13, and 5 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with the slopes of mPACCtrailsB, mPACCdigit, and CDR-SB, respectively, were identified by both comb-p and DMRcate algorithms; these included DMRs annotated to HOXA4. Furthermore, 5 and 19 DMRs were associated with conversion status in CN and MCI participants, respectively. The most significant DMR was annotated to the AD-associated gene PM20D1 (chr1: 205,818,956 to 205,820,014 [13 probes], Sidak-corrected P = 7.74 × 10−24), which was associated with both the slope of CDR-SB and the MCI conversion status. Conclusion Candidate CpG sites and regions in peripheral blood were identified as associated with the rate of cognitive decline in participants in the ADNI cohort. While we did not identify a single CpG site with sufficient clinical utility to be used by itself due to the observed effect size, a biosignature composed of DNA methylation changes may have utility as a prognostic biomarker for AD progression. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-021-01179-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqin S Li
- Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, LLC, 1125 Trenton-Harbourton Road, Titusville, NJ, 08560, USA.
| | | | - Justin W Davis
- Genomics Research Center, AbbVie, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Kwangsik Nho
- Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Andrew J Saykin
- Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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