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Han Y, Liu S, Shi S, Shu Y, Lu C, Gu X. Screening of Genes Associated with Immune Infiltration of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Based on Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis. Biochem Genet 2024:10.1007/s10528-023-10603-6. [PMID: 38451400 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10603-6] [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: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a disorder of the immune system commonly seen in women of childbearing age. The pathophysiology and aetiology are still poorly understood, and no cure is presently available. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, as well as search for new therapeutic targets. Gene expression data from skin biopsies samples of DLE patients and healthy controls were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between DLE and healthy control samples were identified by differential expression analysis. Samples were analysed using CIBERSORT to examine the proportion of immune infiltration. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to screen for the module most relevant to immune infiltration. Candidate genes were uploaded to the TRRUST database to obtain the potential transcription factors regulating these genes. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed to obtain the hub genes most associated with immune infiltration among the candidate genes. A total of 273 DEGs were identified between the DLE and healthy control samples. The results of immunoinfiltration analysis showed that the abundances of resting memory CD4 T cells, activated memory CD4 T cells and M1 macrophages were significantly higher, while those of resting infiltration of plasma cells, regulatory T cells and dendritic cells were lower in DLE samples than in healthy control samples. Correlation analysis showed that ISG15, TRIM22, XAF1, IFIT2, OAS2, OAS3, OAS1, IFI44, IFI6, BST2, IFIT1 and MX2 were negatively correlated with the abundances of plasma cells, T-cell regulatory cells and resting dendritic cells and positively correlated with activated memory CD4 T cells and M1 macrophages. Our study shows that these hub genes may regulate DLE via immune-related pathways mediated by the infiltration of these immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuru Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 279 Zhouzhu Rd. Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201318, China
- School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 279 Zhouzhu Rd. Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201318, China
- School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Shi
- China COMAC Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongyong Shu
- School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Changlian Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 279 Zhouzhu Rd. Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201318, China.
- School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xuefeng Gu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 279 Zhouzhu Rd. Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201318, China.
- School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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Hsieh YT, Chen YC, Chou YC, Kuo PY, Yen YT, Tsai HW, Wang CR. Long noncoding RNA SNHG16 regulates TLR4-mediated autophagy and NETosis formation in alveolar hemorrhage associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:78. [PMID: 37700342 PMCID: PMC10496234 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00969-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) expression with increased apoptosis has been demonstrated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with alveolar hemorrhage (AH). SNHG16, a lncRNA, can enhance pulmonary inflammation by sponging microRNAs, and upregulate toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression via stabilizing its mRNAs. TRAF6, a TLR4 downstream signal transducer, can induce autophagy and NETosis formation. In this study, we investigated whether SNHG16 could regulate TLR4-mediated autophagy and NETosis formation in SLE-associated AH. METHODS Expression of SNHG16, TLR4 and TRAF6 and cell death processes were examined in lung tissues and peripheral blood (PB) leukocytes from AH patients associated with SLE and other autoimmune diseases, and in the lungs and spleen from a pristane-induced C57BL/6 mouse AH model. SNHG16-overexpressed or -silenced alveolar and myelocytic cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a TLR4 agonist, for analyzing autophagy and NETosis, respectively. Pristane-injected mice received the intra-pulmonary delivery of lentivirus (LV)-SNHG16 for overexpression and prophylactic/therapeutic infusion of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting SNHG16 to evaluate the effects on AH. Renal SNHG16 expression was also examined in lupus nephritis (LN) patients and a pristane-induced BALB/c mouse LN model. RESULTS Up-regulated SNHG16, TLR4 and TRAF6 expression with increased autophagy and NETosis was demonstrated in the SLE-AH lungs. In such patients, up-regulated SNHG16, TLR4 and TRAF6 expression was found in PB mononuclear cells with increased autophagy and in PB neutrophils with increased NETosis. There were up-regulated TLR4 expression and increased LPS-induced autophagy and NETosis in SNHG16-overexpressed cells, while down-regulated TLR4 expression and decreased LPS-induced autophagy and NETosis in SNHG16-silenced cells. Pristane-injected lung tissues had up-regulated SNHG16, TLR4/TRAF6 levels and increased in situ autophagy and NETosis formation. Intra-pulmonary LV-SNHG16 delivery enhanced AH through up-regulating TLR4/TRAF6 expression with increased cell death processes, while intra-pulmonary prophylactic and early therapeutic sh-SNHG16 delivery suppressed AH by down-regulating TLR4/TRAF6 expression with reduced such processes. In addition, there was decreased renal SNHG16 expression in LN patients and mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that lncRNA SNHG16 regulates TLR4-mediated autophagy and NETosis formation in the human and mouse AH lungs, and provide a therapeutic potential of intra-pulmonary delivery of shRNA targeting SNHG16 in this SLE-related lethal manifestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Tung Hsieh
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Cheng Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chi Chou
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Yu Kuo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Yen
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Wen Tsai
- Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chrong-Reen Wang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Chen SY, Wang CT, Chen CY, Kuo PY, Wang CR, Shiau AL, Chang CH, Wu CL. Galectin-3 Mediates NETosis and Acts as an Autoantigen in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Associated Diffuse Alveolar Haemorrhage. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119493. [PMID: 37298447 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with enhanced NETosis and impaired degradation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside binding protein and is associated with neutrophil functions as well as involved in mediating autoimmune disorders. In this study, we plan to examine the associations of galectin-3 with the pathogenesis of SLE and NETosis. Galectin-3 expression levels were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients for the association with lupus nephritis (LN) or correlation of SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). NETosis was observed in human normal and SLE and murine galectin-3 knockout (Gal-3 KO) neutrophils. Gal-3 KO and wild-type (WT) mice induced by pristane were used to evaluate disease signs, including diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH), LN, proteinuria, anti-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibody, citrullinated histone 3 (CitH3) levels, and NETosis. Galectin-3 levels are higher in PBMCs of SLE patients compared with normal donors and positively correlated with LN or SLEDAI-2K. Gal-3 KO mice have higher percent survival and lower DAH, LN proteinuria, and anti-RNP antibody levels than WT mice induced by pristane. NETosis and citH3 levels are reduced in Gal-3 KO neutrophils. Furthermore, galectin-3 resides in NETs while human neutrophils undergo NETosis. Galectin-3-associated immune complex deposition can be observed in NETs from spontaneously NETotic cells of SLE patients. In this study, we provide clinical relevance of galectin-3 to the lupus phenotypes and the underlying mechanisms of galectin-3-mediated NETosis for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting galectin-3 for SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Yao Chen
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan 71703, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Teng Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Yu Kuo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chrong-Reen Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan 70403, Taiwan
| | - Ai-Li Shiau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Zhongxiao Road 539, East District, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsi Chang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Liang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Zhongxiao Road 539, East District, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan
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Hsieh YT, Chou YC, Kuo PY, Tsai HW, Yen YT, Shiau AL, Wang CR. Down-regulated miR-146a expression with increased neutrophil extracellular traps and apoptosis formation in autoimmune-mediated diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:62. [PMID: 36028828 PMCID: PMC9413930 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00849-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidences have suggested an important role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating cell death processes including NETosis and apoptosis. Dysregulated expression of miRNAs and increased formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and apoptosis participate in autoimmune-mediated diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), mostly associated with pulmonary capillaritis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. In particular, besides the inhibition of apoptosis, miR-146a can control innate and acquired immune responses, and regulate the toll-like receptor pathway through targeting TRAF6 to reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines like IL-8, a NETosis inducer. METHODS Expression of miR-146a, TRAF6 and NETs were examined in peripheral blood neutrophils (PBNs) and lung tissues from SLE-associated DAH patients, and in neutrophils and pristane-induced DAH lung tissues from C57BL/6 mice. To assess NETs formation, we examined NETosis-related DNAs morphology and crucial mediators including protein arginine deiminase 4 and citrullinated Histone 3. Expression of miR-146a and its endogenous RNA SNHG16 were studied in HL-60 promyelocytic cells and MLE-12 alveolar cells during NETosis and apoptosis processes, respectively. MiR-146a-overexpressed and CRISPR-Cas13d-mediated SNHG16-silenced HL-60 cells were investigated for NETosis. MiR-146a-overexpressed MLE-12 cells were analyzed for apoptosis. Pristane-injected mice received intra-pulmonary miR-146a delivery to evaluate therapeutic efficacy in DAH. RESULTS In DAH patients, there were down-regulated miR-146a levels with increased TRAF6 expression and PMA/LPS-induced NETosis in PBNs, and down-regulated miR-146a levels with increased TRAF6, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), IL-8, NETs and apoptosis expression in lung tissues. HMGB1-stimulated mouse neutrophils had down-regulated miR-146a levels with increased TRAF6, IL-8 and NETs expression. PMA-stimulated HL-60 cells had down-regulated miR-146a levels with enhanced NETosis. MiR-146a-overexpressed or SNHG16-silenced HL-60 cells showed reduced NETosis. Apoptotic MLE-12 cells had down-regulated miR-146a expression and increased HMGB1 release, while miR-146a-overexpressed MLE-12 cells showed reduced apoptosis and HMGB1 production. There were down-regulated miR-146a levels with increased TRAF6, HMGB1, IL-8, NETs and apoptosis expression in mouse DAH lung tissues. Intra-pulmonary miR-146a delivery could suppress DAH by reducing TRAF6, IL-8, NETs and apoptosis expression. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate firstly down-regulated pulmonary miR-146a levels with increased TRAF6 and IL-8 expression and NETs and apoptosis formation in autoimmune-mediated DAH, and implicate a therapeutic potential of intra-pulmonary miR-146a delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Tung Hsieh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chi Chou
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Yu Kuo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Wen Tsai
- Departments of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Yen
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ai-Li Shiau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chrong-Reen Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. .,Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Chen X, Su C, Wei Q, Sun H, Xie J, Nong G. Exosomes Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviate Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Mice by Promoting M2 Macrophage Polarization via the microRNA-146a-5p/NOTCH1 Axis. Immunol Invest 2022; 51:1975-1993. [PMID: 35723582 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2022.2090261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-associated diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare but extremely harmful condition. The current study sought to dissect the mechanisms underlying the effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (HUCMSC)-derived exosomes on M2 macrophage polarization in SLE-associated DAH via the microRNA (miR)-146a-5p/NOTCH1 axis. A DAH mouse model was established using pristane. Exosomes were isolated from HUCMSCs transfected or untransfected with the miR-146a-5p antagonist or agonist and their NCs and then injected into DAH mice. Additionally, miR-146a-5p was overexpressed in macrophages. Expression of miR-146a-5p, NOTCH1, M1 macrophage markers, and M2 macrophage markers was measured in mice and macrophages, and inflammatory factor levels were detected. Mouse lung injuries were evaluated, so was the binding of miR-146a-5p to NOTCH1. Rescue experiments were conducted in mice and macrophages using NOTCH1 shRNA and pcDNA3.1-NOTCH1, respectively. NOTCH1 expression was enhanced in DAH mice. HUCMSC-derived exosomes reduced NOTCH1 expression, bleeding, inflammation, and M1 macrophage polarization but elevated M2 macrophage polarization in lung tissues of DAH mice. Mechanistically, NOTCH1 is negatively targeted by miR-146a-5p. miR-146a-5p overexpression diminished M1 marker and inflammatory factor levels but enhanced M2 marker levels in macrophages, which was nullified by NOTCH1 overexpression. HUCMSC-derived exosomes with miR-146a-5p inhibition increased NOTCH1 expression, worsened bleeding and inflammation, and augmented M1 macrophage polarization while decreasing M2 macrophage polarization in lung tissues of DAH mice, which was abrogated by silencing NOTCH1. HUCMSC-derived exosomes diminished NOTCH1 expression to accelerate M2 macrophage polarization via delivery of miR-146a-5p, thus alleviating SLE-associated DAH in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qing Wei
- Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Hongmei Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
| | - Guangmin Nong
- Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, P. R. China
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Chen X, Cheng Q, Wu H, Du Y. Long Non-Coding RNAs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: New Insights into Disease Pathogenesis and Diagnosis. Scand J Immunol 2022; 95:e13167. [PMID: 35316555 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a remarkable heterogeneous autoimmune disease that is sometimes hard to diagnose at the early stage and can lead to premature mortality. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of non-protein-coding RNAs greater than 200 nucleotides in length that can regulate gene expression in various human diseases, including SLE. Peripheral blood samples and renal tissue samples from SLE patients were used for study. Abnormally expressed lncRNAs in SLE have been shown to influence several signaling pathways, including the IFN-I, MAPK and WNT pathways. This can affect cellular phenotypes like cell activation, differentiation skewing, cytokine production, and cell apoptosis. Many of the reported lncRNAs may be useful for diagnosing, evaluating progression, and predicting potential organ damage in SLE patients. While numerous lncRNAs play important roles in SLE, more basic and clinical studies are warranted to clarify the function of these regulatory molecules and determine their diagnostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China.,Department of Clinic Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Qi Cheng
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China.,Department of Clinic Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Huaxiang Wu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yan Du
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
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Jiang Z, Shao M, Dai X, Pan Z, Liu D. Identification of Diagnostic Biomarkers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Machine Learning. Front Genet 2022; 13:865559. [PMID: 35495164 PMCID: PMC9047905 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.865559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that affects several organs and causes variable clinical symptoms. Exploring new insights on genetic factors may help reveal SLE etiology and improve the survival of SLE patients. The current study is designed to identify key genes involved in SLE and develop potential diagnostic biomarkers for SLE in clinical practice. Expression data of all genes of SLE and control samples in GSE65391 and GSE72509 datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. A total of 11 accurate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by the "limma" and "RobustRankAggreg" R package. All these genes were functionally associated with several immune-related biological processes and a single KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome) pathway of necroptosis. The PPI analysis showed that IFI44, IFI44L, EIF2AK2, IFIT3, IFITM3, ZBP1, TRIM22, PRIC285, XAF1, and PARP9 could interact with each other. In addition, the expression patterns of these DEGs were found to be consistent in GSE39088. Moreover, Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis indicated that all these DEGs could serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers according to the area under the ROC curve (AUC) values. Furthermore, we constructed the transcription factor (TF)-diagnostic biomarker-microRNA (miRNA) network composed of 278 nodes and 405 edges, and a drug-diagnostic biomarker network consisting of 218 nodes and 459 edges. To investigate the relationship between diagnostic biomarkers and the immune system, we evaluated the immune infiltration landscape of SLE and control samples from GSE6539. Finally, using a variety of machine learning methods, IFI44 was determined to be the optimal diagnostic biomarker of SLE and then verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in an independent cohort. Our findings may benefit the diagnosis of patients with SLE and guide in developing novel targeted therapy in treating SLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihang Jiang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mengting Shao
- Computational Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Bioinformatics, Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), Shantou, China
| | - Xinzhu Dai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhixin Pan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dongmei Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Dongmei Liu,
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