1
|
Ren H, Lv W, Shang Z, Li L, Shen Q, Li S, Song Z, Cheng X, Meng X, Chen R, Zhang R. Identifying functional subtypes of IgA nephropathy based on three machine learning algorithms and WGCNA. BMC Med Genomics 2024; 17:61. [PMID: 38395835 PMCID: PMC10893719 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01702-9] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common primary glomerulonephritis, which is a significant cause of renal failure. At present, the classification of IgAN is often limited to pathology, and its molecular mechanism has not been established. Therefore we aim to identify subtypes of IgAN at the molecular level and explore the heterogeneity of subtypes in terms of immune cell infiltration, functional level. METHODS Two microarray datasets (GSE116626 and GSE115857) were downloaded from GEO. Differential expression genes (DEGs) for IgAN were screened with limma. Three unsupervised clustering algorithms (hclust, PAM, and ConsensusClusterPlus) were combined to develop a single-sample subtype random forest classifier (SSRC). Functional subtypes of IgAN were defined based on functional analysis and current IgAN findings. Then the correlation between IgAN subtypes and clinical features such as eGFR and proteinuria was evaluated by using Pearson method. Subsequently, subtype heterogeneity was verified by subtype-specific modules identification based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA) and immune cell infiltration analysis based on CIBERSORT algorithm. RESULTS We identified 102 DEGs as marker genes for IgAN and three functional subtypes namely: viral-hormonal, bacterial-immune and mixed type. We screened seventeen genes specific to viral hormonal type (ATF3, JUN and FOS etc.), and seven genes specific to bacterial immune type (LIF, C19orf51 and SLPI etc.). The subtype-specific genes showed significantly high correlation with proteinuria and eGFR. The WGCNA modules were in keeping with functions of the IgAN subtypes where the MEcyan module was specific to the viral-hormonal type and the MElightgreen module was specific to the bacterial-immune type. The results of immune cell infiltration revealed subtype-specific cell heterogeneity which included significant differences in T follicular helper cells, resting NK cells between viral-hormone type and control group; significant differences in eosinophils, monocytes, macrophages, mast cells and other cells between bacterial-immune type and control. CONCLUSION In this study, we identified three functional subtypes of IgAN for the first time and specific expressed genes for each subtype. Then we constructed a subtype classifier and classify IgAN patients into specific subtypes, which may be benefit for the precise treatment of IgAN patients in future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongbiao Ren
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China
| | - Wenhua Lv
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China
| | - Zhenwei Shang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China
| | - Liangshuang Li
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China
| | - Qi Shen
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China
| | - Shuai Li
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China
| | - Zerun Song
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China
| | - Xiangshu Cheng
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Meng
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China
| | - Rui Chen
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China
| | - Ruijie Zhang
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, 150086, Harbin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cooper MD, Roberts MH, Barauskas OL, Jarvis GA. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor binds to Neisseria gonorrhoeae outer membrane opacity protein and is bactericidal. Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 68:116-27. [PMID: 22537232 PMCID: PMC3395761 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01149.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is an innate immune peptide present on the genitourinary tract mucosa that has antimicrobial activity. In this study, we investigated the interaction of SLPI with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. METHOD OF STUDY ELISA and far-Western blots were used to analyze binding of SLPI to gonococci. The binding site for SLPI was identified by tryptic digests and mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial activity of SLPI for gonococci was determined using bactericidal assays. SLPI protein levels in cell supernatants were measured by ELISA, and SLPI mRNA levels were assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS SLPI bound directly to the gonococcal Opa protein and was bactericidal. Epithelial cells from the reproductive tract constitutively expressed SLPI at different levels. Gonococcal infection of cells did not affect SLPI expression. CONCLUSION We conclude that SLPI is bactericidal for gonococci and is expressed by reproductive tract epithelial cells and thus is likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of gonococcal infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morris D Cooper
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kandulski A, Kuester D, Mönkemüller K, Fry L, Malfertheiner P, Wex T. Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) in human gastric mucosa as mediator of proinflammatory effects in Helicobacter pylori infection. Helicobacter 2011; 16:452-8. [PMID: 22059396 DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-5378.2011.00866.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Protease-activated receptors (PAR) are seven transmembrane receptors that are expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract. In vitro experiments using gastric tumor cell lines, murine models and one clinical study provided evidence for a potential role of PAR2 in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis. AIM To investigate PAR2 expression in H. pylori-infected patients and correlation with proinflammatory IL-8, IL-1β as well as histologic changes of the mucosa. Furthermore, PAR2 expression was studied in context to mucosal amounts of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), a putative regulator of PAR2. METHODS Twenty-two H. pylori-infected patients and 72 H. pylori-negative subjects underwent upper GI endoscopy. In antrum-derived mucosal biopsies, PAR2, IL-1β, IL-8, and SLPI expression was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR, and in part by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Histopathologic evaluation of gastritis was performed according to the updated Sydney classification. RESULTS IL-8 gene expression was 5-fold increased in the mucosa of H. pylori-infected patients compared with non-infected (p < .0001), whereas no differences for PAR2 and IL-1β mRNA amounts were observed between both groups. PAR2 gene expression correlated positively with transcript levels of IL-8, IL-1β as well mucosal SLPI levels in H. pylori-infected patients (r: 0.47-0.84; p < .0001), whereas no correlation was found with the degree of gastritis. CONCLUSIONS PAR2 represents an additive pathway of IL-8 secretion and proinflammatory effects in H. pylori-induced gastritis. Reduced SLPI levels leading to higher serine protease activities in the mucosa of infected subjects might regulate PAR2 activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arne Kandulski
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wex T, Kuester D, Schönberg C, Schindele D, Treiber G, Malfertheiner P. Mucosal Progranulin expression is induced by H. pylori, but independent of Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) expression. BMC Gastroenterol 2011; 11:63. [PMID: 21612671 PMCID: PMC3115905 DOI: 10.1186/1471-230x-11-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mucosal levels of Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) are specifically reduced in relation to H. pylori-induced gastritis. Progranulin is an epithelial growth factor that is proteolytically degraded into fragments by elastase (the main target of SLPI). Considering the role of SLPI for regulating the activity of elastase, we studied whether the H. pylori-induced reduction of SLPI and the resulting increase of elastase-derived activity would reduce the Progranulin protein levels both ex vivo and in vitro. Methods The expression of Progranulin was studied in biopsies of H. pylori-positive, -negative and -eradicated subjects as well as in the gastric tumor cell line AGS by ELISA, immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR. Results H. pylori-infected subjects had about 2-fold increased antral Progranulin expression compared to H. pylori-negative and -eradicated subjects (P < 0.05). Overall, no correlations between mucosal Progranulin and SLPI levels were identified. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the upregulation of Progranulin in relation to H. pylori infection; both epithelial and infiltrating immune cells contributed to the higher Progranulin expression levels. The H. pylori-induced upregulation of Progranulin was verified in AGS cells infected by H. pylori. The down-regulation of endogenous SLPI expression in AGS cells by siRNA methodology did not affect the Progranulin expression independent of the infection by H. pylori. Conclusions Taken together, Progranulin was identified as novel molecule that is upregulated in context to H. pylori infection. In contrast to other diseases, SLPI seems not to have a regulatory role for Progranulin in H. pylori-mediated gastritis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wex
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str, 44, Magdeburg, D-39120, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sallenave JM. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor and elafin/trappin-2: versatile mucosal antimicrobials and regulators of immunity. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2010; 42:635-43. [PMID: 20395631 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2010-0095rt] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Elafin and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) are pleiotropic molecules chiefly synthesized at the mucosal surface that have a fundamental role in the surveillance against microbial infections. Their initial discovery as anti-proteases present in the inflammatory milieu in chronic pathologies such as those of the lung suggested that they may play a role in keeping in check extracellular proteases released during the excessive activation of innate immune cells such as neutrophils. This soon proved to be a simplistic explanation, as other functions were also soon ascribed to these molecules (antimicrobial, modulation of innate and adaptive immunity, regulation of tissue repair). Data emanating from patients with chronic pathologies (in the lung and elsewhere) have shown that SLPI and elafin are often inactivated in inflammatory secretions, either through the action of host or microbial products, justifying attempts at antiprotease supplementation in clinical protocols. Although these have been sparse, proof of principle has been demonstrated, and future challenges will undoubtedly rest with improvements in methods of delivery in the context of tissue inflammation and in careful selection of patients more likely to benefit from SLPI/elafin augmentation.
Collapse
|
6
|
Wheelhouse N, Wattegedera S, Fleming D, Fitch P, Kelly R, Entrican G. Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila abortus induce the expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in cells of the human female reproductive tract. Microbiol Immunol 2008; 52:465-8. [PMID: 19039956 DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2008.00058.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
C. trachomatis and C. abortus are related Gram-negative intracellular bacteria that cause reproductive failure due to infertility (C. trachomatis) or abortion (C. abortus). These organisms target epithelial cells in the reproductive tract and/or placenta, but the innate immune mechanisms that lead to protection or pathology and disease are poorly understood. SLPI is an innate immune molecule which protects mucosal surfaces from infection and injury. C. trachomatis and C. abortus were found to induce SLPI mRNA and peptide expression in HeLa (cervical epithelium) and JEG-3 cells (trophoblast) respectively. Both cell lines constitutively expressed SLPI and, although infection enhanced this expression, killed organisms did not. These data demonstrate that Chlamydia/Chlamydophila grow in cells that express SLPI, suggesting that SLPI does not exert antimicrobial effects against these organisms. However, SLPI has multiple functions, and we speculate that it may play a role in controlling tissue inflammation and pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nick Wheelhouse
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cheng WL, Wang CS, Huang YH, Liang Y, Lin PY, Hsueh C, Wu YC, Chen WJ, Yu CJ, Lin SR, Lin KH. Overexpression of a secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in human gastric cancer. Int J Cancer 2008; 123:1787-96. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
|
8
|
Martin G, Wex T, Treiber G, Malfertheiner P, Nardone G. Low-dose aspirin reduces the gene expression of gastrokine-1 in the antral mucosa of healthy subjects. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2008; 28:782-8. [PMID: 19145733 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03793.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastrokine 1 (GKN1), one of the most abundant transcripts in normal stomach, is down-regulated by Helicobacter pylori infection. Aspirin (ASA), which is often used for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events, can damage gastric-duodenal mucosa within 1 or 2 h of ingestion. AIM To study the gastric mucosal expression of GKN1 during acute low-dose ASA consumption. METHODS Ten H. pylori-negative human volunteers took 100 mg ASA per day for 1 week, and underwent multiple upper GI endoscopies. GKN1 expression was analysed in antral and corpus mucosa by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Gastric mucosal damage was detected endoscopically and histologically. RESULTS Gastrokine 1 was similarly expressed in both antral and corpus mucosa. The use of low-dose ASA led to a significant decrease (3.07 a.u. vs. 0.23 a.u., P < 0.001) in antrum at day 7, while GKN1 transcript levels in corpus mucosa were slightly elevated (twofold, P < 0.005). Western blot and IHC confirmed these changes at the protein level. Furthermore, IHC revealed a vesicular staining pattern in the cytoplasm for GKN1 that was confirmed by transfected human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line expressing GKN1. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that low-dose ASA downregulates GKN1 expression specifically in antral mucosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Martin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Herpes simplex virus downregulates secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor: a novel immune evasion mechanism. J Virol 2008; 82:9337-44. [PMID: 18667508 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00603-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), an anti-inflammatory mediator of mucosal immunity, inhibits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in cell culture. Epidemiological studies demonstrate that higher concentrations of SLPI in mucosal secretions are associated with a reduced risk of HIV transmission. The current studies were designed to test the hypothesis that HSV triggers a loss of SLPI to evade innate immunity and that this response may contribute to the increased risk of HIV infection in the setting of HSV infection. Exposure of human cervical epithelial cells to HSV-1 or HSV-2, but not HIV or vesicular stomatitis virus, triggered a significant and sustained reduction in SLPI levels. The reduction persisted when cells were infected in the presence of acyclovir but not following infection with UV-inactivated virus, indicating that viral gene expression, but not replication, is required. Reverse transcriptase PCR studies demonstrated that the loss of SLPI is mediated by downregulation of gene expression. SLPI downregulation was associated with activation of NF-kappaB signaling pathways and upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, consistent with the known inhibitor effects of SLPI on NF-kappaB pathways. The downregulation mapped to viral early-gene expression, as variants impaired in expression of the ICP4 or ICP0 immediate-early gene failed to downregulate SLPI or activate NF-kappaB. Together, these results identify a novel role for HSV immediate-early-gene expression in regulating mucosal immune responses.
Collapse
|