Three Genes Expressed in Relation to Lipid Metabolism Considered as Potential Biomarkers for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy

Abstract

Objective: Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common chronic complications and is present in approximately 50% of diabetic patients. A bioinformatic approach was used to analyze candidate genes involved in diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy and their potential mechanisms. Methods: GSE95849 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) for differential analysis, together with the identified diabetic peripheral neuropathy-associated genes and the three major metabolism-associated genes in the CTD database to obtain overlapping Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Functional Enrichment Analysis were performed. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) and hub gene networks were constructed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. The expression levels of target genes were evaluated using GSE24290 samples, followed by (Receiver operating characteristic, ROC) curve analysis. And Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed on the target genes. Finally, mRNA-miRNA networks were constructed. Results: A total of 442 co-expressed DEGs were obtained through differential analysis, of which 353 expressed up-regulated genes and 89 expressed down-regulated genes. The up-regulated DEGs were involved in 742 GOs and 10 KEGG enrichment results, mainly associated with lipid metabolism-related pathways, TGF-β receptor signaling pathway, lipid transport, and PPAR signaling pathway. A total of 4 target genes (CREBBP, EP300, ME1, CD36) were identified. Analysis of subject operating characteristic curves indicated that CREBBP (AUC=1), EP300 (AUC=0.917), ME1 (AUC=0.944) and CD36 (AUC=1) may be candidate serum biomarkers for DPN. Conclusion: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy pathogenesis and progression is caused by multiple pathways, which also provides clinicians with potential therapeutic tools.