Functional investigation and two-sample Mendelian randomization study of primary biliary cholangitis hub genes

BACKGROUND The identification of specific gene expression patterns is crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)and finding relevant biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation.AIM To determine PBC-associated hub genes and assess their clinical utility for disease prediction.METHODS PBC expression data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.Overlapping genes from differential expression analysis and weighted gene coexpression network analysis(WGCNA)were identified as key genes for PBC.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology analyses were performed to explore the potential roles of key genes.Hub genes were identified in protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks using the Degree algorithm in Cytoscape software.The relationship between hub genes and immune cells was investigated.Finally,a Mendelian randomization study was conducted to determine the causal effects of hub genes on PBC.RESULTS We identified 71 overlapping key genes using differential expression analysis and WGCNA.These genes were primarily enriched in pathways related to cytokinecytokine receptor interaction,and Th1,Th2,and Th17 cell differentiation.We utilized Cytoscape software and identified five hub genes(CD247,IL10,CCL5,CCL3,and STAT3)in PPI networks.These hub genes showed a strong correlation with immune cell infiltration in PBC.However,inverse variance weighting analysis did not indicate the causal effects of hub genes on PBC risk.CONCLUSION Hub genes can potentially serve as valuable biomarkers for PBC prediction and treatment,thereby offering significant clinical utility.

Nanocarrier-delivered dsRNA suppresses wing development of green peach aphids

RNA interference(RNAi)has developed rapidly as a potential“green”pest management strategy.At present,most studies have focused on the screening of aphid lethal genes,whereas only a few studies have been conducted on wing development,which is crucial for aphid migration and plant-virus dissemination.Here,the Myzus persicae genes vestigial(vg)and Ultrabithorax(Ubx)related to wing development,were cloned.These two genes were expressed in various tissues of 3rd-instar winged aphids.The mRNA level of vg was high in 3rd-instar nymphs,whereas the expression level of Ubx was high in adults.The nanocarrier-mediated delivery system delivered double-stranded RNAs for aphid RNAi using topical and root applications.The expression levels of vg and Ubx were downregulated by 44.0%and 36.5%,respectively,using the topical application.The simultaneous RNAi of the two target genes caused 63.3%and 32.2%wing aberration rates using topical and root applications,respectively.The current study provided a promising method for controlling aphid migration to alleviate the spread of insect transmitted plant diseases.