自噬相关基因在类风湿关节炎滑膜组织的表达及调控机制

Expression and Regulatory Mechanism of Autophagy-related Genes in Synovial Tissues of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

目的研究自噬相关基因(ATG)在类风湿关节炎(RA)中的表达调控和自噬机制。方法从GSE55235和GSE55457中鉴定出RA的差异表达基因(DEG),结合人类自噬数据库,筛选出差异表达自噬相关基因(DE-ATG)。利用STRING 11.0和GeneMANIA数据库建立蛋白互作网络。此外,NetworkAnalyst和Cytoscape建立转录因子-基因-miRNA共表达网络。最后,受试者工作特征曲线分析和DrugBank鉴定预测生物标志物的效能和靶向药物的性能。GraphPad prism 8.2.1和R 4.0.3用于统计分析和图形制作。结果485个DEG在T细胞激活、激素调节、破骨细胞分化、RA和趋化因子等信号通路富集。11个DE-ATG通过hsa-mir-155-5p、RUNX1、TP53和SOX2等调控RA滑膜组织的表达,与四氯二苯二氧芑、二氧化硅有较强的环境因子调控关系。受试者工作特征曲线分析确定了具有良好敏感性和特异性的基因,如MYC、MAPK8、CDKN1A和TNFSF10,可用于区分某些表型,这可能是RA的新型生物标志物。结论DE-ATG在RA中表达下调可能会促进软骨细胞凋亡和分解,新型生物标志物的确立为诊断和治疗RA提供了新思路和方法,转录因子-基因-miRNA网络的建立为解析滑膜炎症和关节软骨破坏提供直接证据。

Objective To investigate the expression regulation of autophagy-related genes(ATG)and the mechanism of autophagy in rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods The differentially expressed genes(DEG)of RA were identified from GSE55235 and GSE55457,on the basis of which the differentially expressed autophagy-related genes(DE-ATG)were selected from the Human Autophagy Database.STRING 11.0 and GeneMANIA were used to establish protein-protein interaction networks.Further,the transcription factor-gene-miRNA co-expression network was established via NetworkAnalyst and Cytoscape.Finally,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and DrugBank were employed to evaluate the efficacy of the predicted biomarkers and the performance of drugs targeting DE-ATG.GraphPad Prism 8.2.1 and R 4.0.3 were used for statistical analysis and graphics.Results A total of 485 DEG were enriched in signaling pathways such as T cell activation,hormone regulation,osteoclast differentiation,RA,and chemokines.Eleven DE-ATG regulated the expression of RUNX1,TP53,SOX2,and hsa-mir-155-5 p in synovial tissues of RA patients and were involved in the response to environmental factors such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin and silicon dioxide.The ROC curve analysis identified the DE-ATG with good sensitivity and specificity,such as MYC,MAPK8,CDKN1 A,and TNFSF10,which can be used to distinguish certain phenotypes and serve as novel biomarkers for RA.Conclusions In RA,down-regulated DE-ATG expression may promote apoptosis and lysis of chondrocytes.The identified novel biomarkers provides new ideas and methods for diagnosing and treating RA.The establishment of transcription factor-miRNA-gene co-expression network provides direct evidence for dissecting synovial inflammation and articular cartilage destruction.