The Relationship Between Gene Expression Pattern and the Severity of Asthma

Abstract

Background Because of heterogeneity, complexity of diagnosis and diversity of pathogenesis, the incidence and mortality of asthma are increased seriously. A structured and specific approach to assess and treat asthma may help clinicians. Results A total of 838 common genes were found from quietness to exacerbation then to recovery of asthma. PPI network analysis identified 7 modules, and found 7 hub genes with high degree. Then, we verified the expression of hub genes in patients by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that exacerbation related genes were significantly related to immune and inflammatory response. Transcriptional regulators factor STAT1 had a significant regulatory effect on exacerbation related genes. Conclusions These results indicated that seven hub genes were potential biomarkers and targets of asthma exacerbation. they were involved in the development of asthma through immune inflammatory signaling pathway. The results of this study not only provide a new research direction and theoretical basis for the exacerbation mechanism of asthma, but also provide a new target for clinical treatment.