Bioinformatics Analysis of Genes and Mechanisms in Postherpetic Neuralgia

Abstract

Objective. Elderly patients are prone to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which may cause anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders and reduce quality of life. As a result, the life quality of patients was seriously reduced. However, the pathogenesis of PHN has not been fully elucidated, and current treatments remain inadequate. Therefore, it is important to explore the molecular mechanism of PHN. Methods. We analyzed the GSE64345 dataset, which includes gene expression from the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of PHN model rats. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and analyzed by Gene Ontology. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. The miRNA associated with neuropathic pain and inflammation was found in miRNet. Hub genes were identified and analyzed in Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). miRNA-mRNA networks associated with PHN were constructed. Results. A total of 116 genes were up-regulated in the DRG of PHN rats, and 135 genes were down-regulated. Functional analysis revealed that variations were predominantly enriched for genes involved in neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, and calcium channel activity. Eleven and thirty-one miRNAs associated with neuropathic pain and inflammation, respectively, were found. Eight hub genes (S1PR1, OPRM1, PDYN, CXCL3, S1PR5, TBX5, TNNI3, MYL7, PTGDR2, and FBXW2) associated with PHN were identified. Conclusions. Bioinformatics analysis is a useful tool to explore the mechanism and pathogenesis of PHN. The identified hub genes may participate in the onset and development of PHN and serve as therapeutic targets.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Role of Cellular Calcium Disorder in Varicella Zoster Virus-Induced Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

“…The results of GO enrichment showed that DEGs from the PHN rat model were mainly concentrated in the biological process of "cellular calcium ion homeostasis, " "positive regulation of cytosolic calcium ion concentration, " cell component of "voltage gated calcium channel complex, " and molecular function of "calcium ion binding" (Supplementary Figure 1). Consistent with previous reports, KEGG signaling pathway analysis showed that DEGs in DRG of the PHN rat model were mainly enriched in "calcium signaling pathway, " "neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, " and "serotonergic synapse" (Supplementary Figure 2; Qiu et al, 2020). Encouragingly, our results further revealed that the GO enrichment and KEGG signaling pathway analysis of 52 identical DEGs (Figure 6) obtained from the VZV-infected SH-SY5Y cells and the VZV-induced PHN rat DRG all showed calcium signaling-related items (Table 2).…”

A systematic review and meta-analysis of independent risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia

“…Acute herpes zoster virus infection can cause irreversible damage to the body's nervous system, including the central and peripheral nerves (19). This view has been recognized and confirmed by many studies, but how nerve damage occurs is not clear (20,21). Moreover, current studies have not yet determined the mechanism of acute pain and persistent pain caused by herpes zoster virus infection (22).…”

Diagnostic Biomarkers and Immune Infiltration in Patients With T Cell-Mediated Rejection After Kidney Transplantation

“…Recently, bioinformatic analysis has been generally performed in the identification of biomarkers, which provides insight into the molecular mechanism of disease progression (5)(6)(7)(8)(9). Microarray technology can be used for a wide range of bioinformatic analysis and the development of new computational techniques remains an active area of bioinformatics research that will continue to expand over the coming years (10)(11)(12).…”