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Xiao K, Wang S, Chen W, Hu Y, Chen Z, Liu P, Zhang J, Chen B, Zhang Z, Li X. Identification of novel immune-related signatures for keloid diagnosis and treatment: insights from integrated bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq analysis. Hum Genomics 2024; 18:80. [PMID: 39014455 PMCID: PMC11251391 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00647-z] [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: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Keloid is a disease characterized by proliferation of fibrous tissue after the healing of skin tissue, which seriously affects the daily life of patients. However, the clinical treatment of keloids still has limitations, that is, it is not effective in controlling keloids, resulting in a high recurrence rate. Thus, it is urgent to identify new signatures to improve the diagnosis and treatment of keloids. METHOD Bulk RNA seq and scRNA seq data were downloaded from the GEO database. First, we used WGCNA and MEGENA to co-identify keloid/immune-related DEGs. Subsequently, we used three machine learning algorithms (Randomforest, SVM-RFE, and LASSO) to identify hub immune-related genes of keloid (KHIGs) and investigated the heterogeneous expression of KHIGs during fibroblast subpopulation differentiation using scRNA-seq. Finally, we used HE and Masson staining, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemical, and Immunofluorescent assay to investigate the dysregulated expression and the mechanism of retinoic acid in keloids. RESULTS In the present study, we identified PTGFR, RBP5, and LIF as KHIGs and validated their diagnostic performance. Subsequently, we constructed a novel artificial neural network molecular diagnostic model based on the transcriptome pattern of KHIGs, which is expected to break through the current dilemma faced by molecular diagnosis of keloids in the clinic. Meanwhile, the constructed IG score can also effectively predict keloid risk, which provides a new strategy for keloid prevention. Additionally, we observed that KHIGs were also heterogeneously expressed in the constructed differentiation trajectories of fibroblast subtypes, which may affect the differentiation of fibroblast subtypes and thus lead to dysregulation of the immune microenvironment in keloids. Finally, we found that retinoic acid may treat or alleviate keloids by inhibiting RBP5 to differentiate pro-inflammatory fibroblasts (PIF) to mesenchymal fibroblasts (MF), which further reduces collagen secretion. CONCLUSION In summary, the present study provides novel immune signatures (PTGFR, RBP5, and LIF) for keloid diagnosis and treatment, and identifies retinoic acid as potential anti-keloid drugs. More importantly, we provide a new perspective for understanding the interactions between different fibroblast subtypes in keloids and the remodeling of their immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Xiao
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sisi Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenxin Chen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hengyang Central Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Hengyang, China
| | - Yiping Hu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziang Chen
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinli Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiaojian Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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Zhao Y, Ma Y, Pei J, Zhao X, Jiang Y, Liu Q. Exploring Pyroptosis-related Signature Genes and Potential Drugs in Ulcerative Colitis by Transcriptome Data and Animal Experimental Validation. Inflammation 2024:10.1007/s10753-024-02025-2. [PMID: 38656456 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-024-02025-2] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, relapsing inflammatory disorder of the colonic mucosa. Pyroptosis contributes significantly to UC. However, the molecular mechanisms of UC remain unexplained. Herein, using transcriptome data and animal experimental validation, we sought to explore pyroptosis-related molecular mechanisms, signature genes, and potential drugs in UC. Gene profiles (GSE48959, GSE59071, GSE53306, and GSE94648) were selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, which contained samples derived from patients with active and inactive UC, as well as health controls. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed on microarrays to unravel the association between UC and pyroptosis. Then, differential expressed genes (DEGs) and pyroptosis-related DEGs were obtained by differential expression analyses and the public database. Subsequently, pyroptosis-related DEGs and their association with the immune infiltration landscape were analyzed using the CIBERSORT method. Besides, potential signature genes were selected by machine learning (ML) algorithms, and then validated by testing datasets which included samples of colonic mucosal tissue and peripheral blood. More importantly, the potential drug was screened based on this. And these signature genes and the drug effect were finally observed in the animal experiment. GSEA and KEGG enrichment analyses on key module genes derived from WGCNA revealed a close association between UC and pyroptosis. Then, a total of 20 pyroptosis-related DEGs of UC and 27 pyroptosis-related DEGs of active UC were screened. Next, 6 candidate genes (ZBP1, AIM2, IL1β, CASP1, TLR4, CASP11) in UC and 2 candidate genes (TLR4, CASP11) in active UC were respectively identified using the binary logistic regression (BLR), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), random forest (RF) analysis and artificial neural network (ANN), and these genes also showed high diagnostic specificity for UC in testing sets. Specially, TLR4 was elevated in UC and further elevated in active UC. The results of the drug screen revealed that six compounds (quercetin, cyclosporine, resveratrol, cisplatin, paclitaxel, rosiglitazone) could target TLR4, among which the effect of quercetin on intestinal pathology, pyroptosis and the expression of TLR4 in UC and active UC was further determined by the murine model. These findings demonstrated that pyroptosis may promote UC, and especially contributes to the activation of UC. Pyroptosis-related DEGs offer new ideas for the diagnosis of UC. Besides, quercetin was verified as an effective treatment for pyroptosis and intestinal inflammation. This study might enhance our comprehension on the pathogenic mechanism and diagnosis of UC and offer a treatment option for UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yiming Ma
- Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, 999078, China
| | - Jianing Pei
- The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Zhao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310007, China
| | - Yuepeng Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Qingsheng Liu
- Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310007, China.
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Yang Y, Hua Y, Zheng H, Jia R, Ye Z, Su G, Gu Y, Zhan K, Tang K, Qi S, Wu H, Qin S, Huang S. Biomarkers prediction and immune landscape in ulcerative colitis: Findings based on bioinformatics and machine learning. Comput Biol Med 2024; 168:107778. [PMID: 38070204 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107778] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis (UC) presents diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. The primary objective of this study is to identify efficacious biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment, as well as acquire a deeper understanding of the immuneological characteristics associated with the disease. METHODS Datasets relating to UC were obtained from GEO database. Among these, three datasets were merged to create a metadata for bioinformatics analysis and machine learning. Additionally, one dataset specifically utilized for external validation. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest (RF) were employed to screen signature genes. The artificial neural network (ANN) model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess the diagnostic performance of signature genes. The single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was applied to reveal the immune landscape. Finally, the relationship between the signature genes, immune infiltration, and clinical characteristics was investigated through correlation analysis. RESULT By intersecting the result of LASSO, RF and WGCNA, 8 signature genes were identified, including S100A8, IL-1B, CXCL1, TCN1, MMP10, GREM1, DUOX2 and SLC6A14. The biological progress of this gene mostly encompasses acute inflammatory response, aggregation and chemotaxis of leukocyte, and response to lipopolysaccharide by mediating IL-17 signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Immune infiltration analysis shows 25 immune cells are significantly elevated in UC samples. Moreover, these signature genes exhibit a strong correlation with various immune cells and a mild to moderate correlation with the Mayo score. CONCLUSION S100A8, IL-1B, CXCL1, TCN1, MMP10, GREM1, DUOX2 and SLC6A14 have been identified as credible potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and therapy of UC. The immune response mediated by these signature biomarkers plays a crucial role in the occurrence and advancement of UC by means of the reciprocal interaction between the signature biomarkers and immune-infiltrated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanming Yang
- Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Yiwei Hua
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Huan Zheng
- Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Rui Jia
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Zhining Ye
- Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Guifang Su
- Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Yueming Gu
- Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Kai Zhan
- Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Kairui Tang
- Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Shuhao Qi
- Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Haomeng Wu
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China; State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Shumin Qin
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China; State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangzhou 510120, China.
| | - Shaogang Huang
- Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, 523000, China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China; State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangzhou 510120, China; Yang Chunbo academic experience inheritance studio of Guangdong provincial hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Wilson G, Doppa JR, Cook DJ. CALDA: Improving Multi-Source Time Series Domain Adaptation With Contrastive Adversarial Learning. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PATTERN ANALYSIS AND MACHINE INTELLIGENCE 2023; 45:14208-14221. [PMID: 37486844 PMCID: PMC10805953 DOI: 10.1109/tpami.2023.3298346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) provides a strategy for improving machine learning performance in data-rich (target) domains where ground truth labels are inaccessible but can be found in related (source) domains. In cases where meta-domain information such as label distributions is available, weak supervision can further boost performance. We propose a novel framework, CALDA, to tackle these two problems. CALDA synergistically combines the principles of contrastive learning and adversarial learning to robustly support multi-source UDA (MS-UDA) for time series data. Similar to prior methods, CALDA utilizes adversarial learning to align source and target feature representations. Unlike prior approaches, CALDA additionally leverages cross-source label information across domains. CALDA pulls examples with the same label close to each other, while pushing apart examples with different labels, reshaping the space through contrastive learning. Unlike prior contrastive adaptation methods, CALDA requires neither data augmentation nor pseudo labeling, which may be more challenging for time series. We empirically validate our proposed approach. Based on results from human activity recognition, electromyography, and synthetic datasets, we find utilizing cross-source information improves performance over prior time series and contrastive methods. Weak supervision further improves performance, even in the presence of noise, allowing CALDA to offer generalizable strategies for MS-UDA.
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Zhao X, Zhao Y, Jiang Y, Zhang Q. Deciphering the endometrial immune landscape of RIF during the window of implantation from cellular senescence by integrated bioinformatics analysis and machine learning. Front Immunol 2022; 13:952708. [PMID: 36131919 PMCID: PMC9484583 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.952708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is an extremely thorny issue in in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET). However, its intricate etiology and pathological mechanisms are still unclear. Nowadays, there has been extensive interest in cellular senescence in RIF, and its involvement in endometrial immune characteristics during the window of implantation (WOI) has captured scholars’ growing concerns. Therefore, this study aims to probe into the pathological mechanism of RIF from cellular senescence and investigate the correlation between cellular senescence and endometrial immune characteristics during WOI based on bioinformatics combined with machine learning strategy, so as to elucidate the underlying pathological mechanisms of RIF and to explore novel treatment strategies for RIF. Firstly, the gene sets of GSE26787 and GSE111974 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were included for the weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA), from which we concluded that the genes of the core module were closely related to cell fate decision and immune regulation. Subsequently, we identified 25 cellular senescence-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in RIF by intersecting DEGs with cellular senescence-associated genes from the Cell Senescence (CellAge) database. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis was conducted to further reveal the specific molecular mechanisms by which these molecules regulate cellular senescence and immune pathways. Then, eight signature genes were determined by the machine learning method of support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), random forest (RF), and artificial neural network (ANN), comprising LATS1, EHF, DUSP16, ADCK5, PATZ1, DEK, MAP2K1, and ETS2, which were also validated in the testing gene set (GSE106602). Furthermore, distinct immune microenvironment abnormalities in the RIF endometrium during WOI were comprehensively explored and validated in GSE106602, including infiltrating immunocytes, immune function, and the expression profiling of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes and immune checkpoint genes. Moreover, the correlation between the eight signature genes with the endometrial immune landscape of RIF was also evaluated. After that, two distinct subtypes with significantly distinct immune infiltration characteristics were identified by consensus clustering analysis based on the eight signature genes. Finally, a “KEGG pathway–RIF signature genes–immune landscape” association network was constructed to intuitively uncover their connection. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that cellular senescence might play a pushing role in the pathological mechanism of RIF, which might be closely related to its impact on the immune microenvironment during the WOI phase. The exploration of the molecular mechanism of cellular senescence in RIF is expected to bring new breakthroughs for disease diagnosis and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Zhao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Gynecology, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- College of Basic Medicine, Hebei College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuepeng Jiang
- College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Gynecology, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qin Zhang,
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