Identification of potential crucial genes in monocytes for atherosclerosis using bioinformatics analysis

Abstract

Objective To use bioinformatics tools to screen for gene biomarkers from monocytes, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Methods Two expression profiling datasets (GSE27034 and GSE10195) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus dataset and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between atherosclerotic human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples and control subjects were screened using GEO2R. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were conducted for the DEGs. STRING and MCODE plug-in of Cytoscape were used for constructing a protein–protein interaction network and analysing hub genes. Results The two datasets had 237 DEGs in common between non-atherosclerotic- and atherosclerotic PBMC samples. Functional annotation demonstrated that these DEGs were mainly enriched in protein binding, positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, nucleus and viral carcinogenesis. Five hub genes, FBXL4, UBOX5, KBTBD6, FZR1 and FBXO2, were identified. Conclusion This present bioinformatics analysis identified that the FBXL4, UBOX5, KBTBD6 and FBXO21 genes might play vital roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. These four genes might represent new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Integrative bioinformatics analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles and identification of associated miRNA-mRNA network in intracranial aneurysms

“…Moreover, previous studies have shown that these genes may involve in vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, VSMC phenotypic switching, cell apoptosis, etc. Table 4 summarizes the current studies on these 10 genes in vascular pathology [ [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] ].…”

“… Cellular unit Gene Important find References ECs ATP6V1G1 Promotes the proliferation of ECs and angiogenesis [ 18 ] ECs XRCC5 Promotes the proliferation of ECs and angiogenesis [ 19 ] ECs ZFP91 The inflammatory response of ECs. Role in the ECs migration and tube formation [ 20 , 21 ] ECs CBFB Promotes the proliferation of ECs and angiogenesis [ 22 ] Human PBMC KBTBD6 Play in innate and adaptive immune responses in vascular inflammation [ 23 ] ECs, VSMCs and fibroblasts TIMP3 Was reported to be a potential risk factor of atherosclerosis, aneurysm, and hypertension. Prevents ECM degradation and maintain vascular stability [ [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] ] VSMCs PCBP1 Role in VSMCs proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and differentiation.…”

Methylation at CpG sites related to growth differentiation factor-15 was not prospectively associated with cardiovascular death in discordant monozygotic twins

“…FBXL4 protein suppresses mitochondrial degradation through its function related to E3 ubiquitin ligase complex activity 23 . Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the FBXL4 gene in peripheral blood monocytes might contribute to atherosclerosis 24 . As reviewed by Kapnick et al 25 , the reduction in FBXL4 protein contributed to immune dysfunction, including neutropenia, lymphopenia, and frequent infections, and reductions in natural killer cells, total CD8+ T cells, and CD8+ memory T cells.…”

Diagnostic value of miR-637 in patients with atherosclerosis and its predictive significance for the future cardiovascular events

“…AS is one of the major causes of mortality in aging populations worldwide, and it is a serious life-threatening disease 28. Early and accurate diagnosis of AS is the key to treatment, which could reduce the physical damage and economic burden caused by the disease.…”