基于GEO和TCGA数据库分析促癌基因INHBA和抑癌基因CLCA4、CA4在结直肠癌中表达

目的:通过分析GEO数据库结直肠癌相关芯片集,寻找差异基因,并在TCGA数据库和GEO数据库进行验证,为结直肠癌的早期诊断寻找标志物。方法:分析GEO数据库结直肠癌相关芯片集GSE21510、GSE25071、GSE32323。分别分析差异基因,采用文恩图软件查找共同差异基因。进一步在TCGA数据库查找差异基因在结直肠癌中的表达及生存曲线。最后通过GEO数据库GSE24514验证差异基因的表达。结果:GSE21510,包含104例样本,共筛选出251个差异基因,其中上调基因146个,下调基因105个。GSE25071,包含50例样本,共筛选出669个差异基因,其中上调基因312个,下调基因357个。GSE32323,包含10例样本,共筛选出353个差异基因,其中上调基因115个,下调基因238个。在样本中上调基因为促癌基因,下调基因为抑癌基因。经文恩图分析,3个基因集交集共有15个基因,其中上调基因3个,下调基因12个。在TCGA数据库中查找差异基因的表达量和生存曲线,生存曲线选择结肠癌数据集,选取279个样本进行分析。根据差异基因的表达和生存曲线,最终确定促癌基因INHBA和抑癌基因CLCA4、CA4为结直肠癌的标志物。最后在GSE24514芯片集验证差异基因的表达。结论:通过GEO和TCGA数据库筛选及验证,发现在结直肠癌组织中INHBA基因明显上调,CLCA4、CA4基因明显下调。最终确定促癌基因INHBA和抑癌基因CLCA4、CA4可作为结直肠癌早期诊断的标志物。     

基于生物信息学筛选和鉴定结直肠癌关键的生物标志物

结直肠癌是世界范围内最为常见的恶性肿瘤之一,目前,关于结直肠癌的分子机制仍在不断的探索中。本文通过生物信息学方法筛选和鉴定结直肠癌关键的生物标志物。从基因表达数据库(GEO)选择了3个数据集[GSE21510(148个样本)、GSE32323(44个样本)、GSE15781(42个样本)],对差异基因的表达以及功能富集进行分析。通过建立蛋白互作网络,运用STRING和Cytoscape对分子进行分析。筛选出472个差异基因,其中上调基因212个,下调基因260个。差异基因的富集及其通路主要包括调节细胞增殖、识别受体信号通路、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体(PPAR)信号通路等。其中15个核心基因主要富集在受体蛋白信号通路、细胞表面受体信号和趋化因子信号通路上。生存分析表明,AGT、CXCL2可能参与致癌,促进癌症的转移,影响预后。通过对472个差异基因和15个核心基因的筛选识别,促癌基因AGT和CXCL2可能被视为结直肠癌的生物标志物,为结直肠癌的诊断、治疗和研究提供新的分子靶标。     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎伴鼻息肉基因表达谱的生物信息学分析

本研究从美国国立生物信息中心(NCBI)的子数据库基因表达数据库(GEO)中选择基因表达谱GSE36830数据集,采用GEO2R筛选正常钩突和鼻息肉组织之间的差异表达基因(DEGs),对关键通路和差异表达基因进行数据库挖掘和分析,经筛选后的差异表达基因采用戴维在线工具对其进行基因本体富集分析(GO)、京都基因和基因组百科全书(KEGG)分析,然后将DEGs导入String数据库进行蛋白质互作网络分析,绘制差异表达基因互作网络图,将其数据导入Cytoscape软件中,筛选网络中心节点和关键基因,分析关键子网络。共筛选出699个DEGs,其中475个基因为上调表达基因,224个基因为下调表达基因。在GO分析中,针对生物过程,上调的DEGs包括:炎症反应、免疫反应、细胞趋化性、炎症反应的正向调节和细胞的粘附等;下调的DEGs主要参与:唾液分泌、生物矿物组织发展、细胞氨基酸生物合成过程、视网膜内稳态及离子跨膜转运等。在KEGG分析中,上调的DEGs主要在参与造血细胞系、细胞因子-细胞因子受体相互作用、破骨细胞分化、趋化因子信号通路、癌症中的转录失调、哮喘、金黄色葡萄球菌感染等信号通路中富集,而下调的DEGs在唾液腺分泌及胆汁分泌信号通路中富集。差异表达基因互作网络图筛选出前10个关键基因:ITGAM、IL10、CD86、TLR8、ITGAX、CCL2、CCR7、SRC、EGF及ITGB2。本研究得到了一组鼻息肉差异表达基因的生物信息学分析结果,但仍需进一步用基础试验来验证。本文分析的结论为慢性鼻-鼻窦炎、鼻息肉的研究提供了新的研究方向,也为鼻息肉发病机制研究的思路提供了一定的建设性作用。     

肾透明细胞癌Caki-1细胞系差异表达基因的生物信息学分析

目的比较肾透明细胞癌Caki-1细胞系与正常肾上皮细胞系ASE-5063中的差异表达基因（DEGs）,寻找潜在的肾透明细胞癌特异性分子标志物。 方法利用GEO数据库自带的GEO2R在线分析工具分析基因芯片GSE78179,将筛选出的DEGs分别导入Metascape、STRING以及Cytoscape进行综合分析并筛选出核心基因。最后使用FunRich等软件对筛选出的核心基因进行GO和KEGG富集分析。 结果共筛选出562个DEGs,其中上调基因345个,下调基因217个。进一步使用MCODE筛选出36个关键基因,GO功能分析发现这些基因与细胞粘附分子活性、趋化因子活性、细胞通讯和信号转导等密切相关;KEGG通路富集结果则表明差异基因主要集中在趋化因子信号通路、TNF信号通路以及NF-κB信号通路等多种与肿瘤相关的通路上。 结论运用生物信息学方法筛选出肾透明细胞癌Caki-1细胞系中DEGs,其中数个核心基因广泛参与多种肿瘤的病理进程,但尚未在肾透明细胞癌有相关研究报道,提示其可能是治疗肾透明细胞癌的潜在靶点。     

强直性脊柱炎差异表达基因的生物信息学分析

目的探讨强直性脊柱炎(AS)患者差异表达基因,并基于差异基因探讨强直性脊柱炎发病相关的可能生物学过程和信号通路。方法检索基因表达谱数据库(GEO)并筛选AS相关基因表达谱数据集。应用GEO在线分析功能GEO2R分析AS组和正常对照组的差异表达基因,用Cytoscape软件clueGO插件进行基因本体论和京都基因与基因组百科全书分析,采用String蛋白-蛋白相互作用(PPI)数据库分析差异表达基因编码蛋白间的相互作用;应用Cytoscape绘制蛋白相互作用网络图,并软件筛选信号通路关键基因分析。结果选取AS患者全血表达数据集GSE25101为研究对象,分析获得差异表达基因72个。72个差异表达基因分子功能主要为参与高迁移率族盒染色体蛋白1(HMGB1)转导机制;生物学过程主要富集于巨噬细胞迁移、骨髓细胞凋亡过程、线粒体呼吸链复合体装配、ATP合成偶联电子传输、线粒体ATP合成耦合电子输运等;细胞成分主要富集于呼吸链复合体、线粒体呼吸体等。信号通路富集于氧化磷酸化信号通路和帕金森综合征相关信号通路。PPI网络经过cytohubba插件筛选,ATP5J、NDUFS4、UQCRB、UQCRH、NDUFB3、COX7B、LSM3、ATP5EP2、ENY2、PSMA4被筛选为网络中的核心基因。结论通过生物信息学方法进行预测了AS的潜在机制,并筛选出10个潜在的与AS相关的重要分子,其中氧化磷酸化可能在AS发病机制中发挥了重要的作用。     

应用GSEA和WGCNA方法分析细菌性败血症宿主关键差异基因及意义

【目的】采用生物信息学方法分析公共数据库来源的细菌性败血症患者全血转录组学表达谱,探讨细菌败血症相关的宿主关键差异基因及意义。【方法】基于GEO数据库中GSE80496和GSE72829全血转录组基因数据集,采用GEO2R、基因集富集分析(GSEA)联用加权基因共表达网络分析(WGCNA)筛选细菌性败血症患者相比健康人群显著改变的差异基因,通过R软件对交集基因进行GO功能分析和KEGG富集分析。同时,通过String 11.0和Cytoscape分析枢纽基因,验证枢纽基因在数据集GSE72809(Health组52例,Definedsepsis组52例)全血标本中的表达情况,并探讨婴儿性别、月(胎)龄、出生体重、是否接触抗生素等因素与靶基因表达谱间的关系。【结果】分析GSE80496和GSE72829数据集分别筛选得到932个基因和319个基因,联合WGCNA枢纽模块交集得到与细菌性败血症发病相关的10个枢纽基因(MMP9、ITGAM、CSTD、GAPDH、PGLYRP1、FOLR3、OSCAR、TLR5、IL1RN和TIMP1);GSEA分析获得关键通路(氨基酸糖类-核糖代谢、PPAR信号通路、聚糖生物合成通路、自噬调控通路、补体、凝血因子级联反应、尼古丁和烟酰胺代谢、不饱和脂肪酸生物合成和阿尔兹海默症通路)及生物学过程(类固醇激素分泌、腺苷酸环化酶的激活、细胞外基质降解和金属离子运输)。【结论】本项研究通过GEO2R、GSEA联用WGCNA分析,筛选出与细菌性败血症发病相关的2个枢纽模块、10个枢纽基因以及一些关键信号通路和生物学过程,可为后续深入研究细菌性败血症致病机制奠定理论依据。     

人脐带间充质干细胞神经向分化与去分化基因表达谱分析

目的用生物信息学方法从公共基因芯片数据库(GEO)中初步筛选出与人脐带间充质干细胞(h UC-MSCs)神经向分化和去分化相关的生物学功能和对应的信号通路,分析蛋白互作关系,为进一步开展h UC-MSCs神经向分化和去分化的实验研究提供指导信息。方法在公共基因芯片数据库GEO中搜寻h UC-MSCs神经向分化与去分化的基因芯片数据,用R和Bioconductor软件包进行统计学分析,筛选差异基因;用Gene Analytics在线分析工具进行GO分析和通路分析;用STRING数据库进行差异表达基因对应的蛋白互作关系分析。结果共筛选得到影响神经向分化和去分化过程的670个上调基因和1 458个下调基因;进一步对这些差异基因进行功能富集分析,发现上调过程的功能集中表现为促血管生成和细胞黏附,下调的生物学过程则主要和代谢相关;上调通路主要有与细胞增殖、分化、凋亡有关的ERK、血管生成和Akt等通路,下调通路主要有与细胞代谢和生物合成相关的萜类化合物骨架生物合成、Cholesterot Biosynthesis II和磷酸肌醇代谢等通路,其中特别的是,维持胚胎干细胞多能性的Nanog通路出现在下调通路中;蛋白互作网络分析发现,与血管生成、细胞黏附相关的蛋白VEGFA、IL-6、FGF2、MMP和IL-8有较高的degree值。结论影响h UC-MSCs神经向分化和去分化的因素很多,其中,促进血管生成、细胞黏附及细胞繁殖相关的基因、生物反应过程、信号通路及相关蛋白起着重要作用。上述基于生物信息学的筛查分析结果为进一步开展h UC-MSCs神经向分化与去分化实验研究提供了一定的参考信息。     

浆液性卵巢癌铁死亡关键基因的筛选及[]生物信息学分析

利用生物信息学方法筛选浆液性卵巢癌相关铁死亡关键基因,并预测其生物学功能。从GEO数据库中获得有关浆液性卵巢癌的数据集GSE54388和GSE12470,采用R语言中的“Limma”包分析挑选浆液性卵巢癌上皮组织与正常卵巢上皮组织中差异表达基因,绘制火山图、热图。利用Venn软件在线工具绘制GSE54388,GSE12470,FerrDb三个数据集韦恩图。对相关基因进行功能富集分析、蛋白互作分析、生存分析,对关键基因绘制ROC曲线进行诊断分析。采用GEPIA2 数据库对筛选基因进行验证,并进行免疫浸润分析。结果发现:从GSE54388中筛选出2458个差异基因,其中上调1309个,下调1149个。从GSE12470中筛选出3534个差异基因,其中上调1 837个,下调1 697个。与铁死亡基因数据集取交集,共得到16个差异基因,蛋白互作网络筛选出7个基因构建的关键模块,绘制生存曲线发现浆液性卵巢癌患者中5个基因与患者总生存率不良相关,其中NRAS,PSAT1,CDKN2A,GDF15这4个基因高表达,CAV1低表达。ROC曲线显示这5个基因中CAV1,NRAS,PSAT1的AUC诊断曲线面积大于0.95,有较高的诊断价值。GEPIA2 数据库验证发现5个基因的表达情况与预测相符,仅NRAS基因表达在浆液性卵巢癌患者Ⅱ期、Ⅲ期、Ⅳ期有显著差异(P<0.05)。免疫浸润分析发现CDKN2A表达与aDC细胞浸润水平呈正相关(P<0.05,spearman相关系数0.353);CAV1表达与Mast细胞浸润正向关(P<0.05,spearman相关系数0.327);NRAS与T helper细胞浸呈正向关(P<0.05,spearman相关系数0.362)。通过生物信息学方法筛选出与浆液性卵巢癌铁死亡相关的5个基因CAV1,NRAS,PSAT1,CDKN2A,GDF15,可能在浆液性卵巢癌的发生发展中起重要作用,有望成为该病诊断、治疗和预后的潜在分子生物标志物。     

基于生物信息学分析的肝癌核心基因的筛选及验证

本研究基于GEO数据库,选取由慢性乙型肝炎诱导的肝细胞癌芯片数据GSE121248为研究对象,利用GEO2R软件分析数据,筛选出差异表达基因,利用DAVID数据库进行GO分析和KEGG pathway富集分析.利用STRING数据库构建PPI网络,分析筛选核心基因.利用GEPIA对核心基因的表达进行验证,Kaplan Meier Plotter在线分析工具对核心基因与患者生存情况的相关性进行验证.通过上述方法筛选出309个DEGs,其中上调基因94个,下调基因215个.差异基因功能分析显示上调的DEGs主要参与细胞周期和卵母细胞减数分裂通路等途径,下调的DEGs则在补体和凝血级联、代谢途径以及咖啡因代谢途径富集.筛选出15个具有高度关联性的核心基因(BUB1,BUB1B,BIRC5,CCNB1,CCNB2,CDC20,CDK1,KIF-20A,MAD2L1,NCAPG,ZWINT,PBK,BTL,TTK和NUSAP1),它们与肝癌患者的总体生存率具有明显相关性,并为其构建了miRNA调控网络.本研究通过生物信息学方法有效分析了肝细胞癌发生、发展相关的差异表达基因,筛选出15个核心基因,分析其生物学相关功能,以期探索肝细胞癌发病机制,并为临床诊断标志物的改进以及筛选提供一定的理论基础.     

髓母细胞瘤基因表达谱芯片关键基因的生物信息学分析

筛选髓母细胞瘤(medulloblastoma, MB)发生发展的关键基因,可为MB分子机制的进一步研究提供生物信息学依据。本文通过下载GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus)数据库GSE50161原始数据,利用R语言对正常脑组织与髓母细胞瘤组织中差异表达的基因进行分析;通过生物信息学分析工具(DAVID、STRING和Cytoscape)对差异基因进行生物学功能和蛋白质相互作用(protein-protein interaction, PPI)分析,并通过PPI筛选互作调控的关键基因。结果显示,总共筛选出999个差异表达的基因,鉴定了CCNB1、AURKB、MAD2L1、CENPE、KIF2C、BUB1、BUB1B、NDC80、CENPF、CDC20十个关键基因。差异基因生物学功能主要富集于有丝分裂的核分裂、染色体分离、微管蛋白结合、RAGE受体结合等生物过程。KEGG信号通路分析结果显示差异基因主要富集于细胞周期、NF-κB、IL-17和T细胞受体等信号通路。10个关键基因的生物学功能和信号通路主要富集于细胞有丝分裂和细胞周期通路。因此,细胞周期通路对MB的增殖和分裂起着关键性的作用,相关的分子机制值得进一步深入研究。     

Identification of differentially expressed genes and biological characteristics of colorectal cancer by integrated bioinformatics analysis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Its mortality rate has remained high in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in its pathogenesis, which may be used as novel biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for CRC. The gene expression profiles of GSE21510, GSE32323, GSE89076, and GSE113513 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After screening DEGs in each GEO data set, we further used the robust rank aggregation method to identify 494 significant DEGs including 212 upregulated and 282 downregulated genes. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed by DAVID and the KOBAS online database, respectively. These DEGs were shown to be significantly enriched in different cancer-related functions and pathways. Then, the STRING database was used to construct the protein–protein interaction network. The module analysis was performed by the MCODE plug-in of Cytoscape based on the whole network. We finally filtered out seven hub genes by the cytoHubba plug-in, including PPBP, CCL28, CXCL12, INSL5, CXCL3, CXCL10, and CXCL11. The expression validation and survival analysis of these hub genes were analyzed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas database. In conclusion, the robust DEGs associated with the carcinogenesis of CRC were screened through the GEO database, and integrated bioinformatics analysis was conducted. Our study provides reliable molecular biomarkers for screening and diagnosis, prognosis as well as novel therapeutic targets for CRC.     

Epigenetic profiling and mRNA expression reveal candidate genes as biomarkers for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by DNA methylation, which is associated with genomic instability and tumor initiation. As an important epigenetic regulation, DNA methylation can be used as a potential therapeutic target for CRC. In our study, we downloaded DNA methylation profiles (GSE17648 and GSE29490) and RNA sequencing microarray data (GSE25070 and GSE32323) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. As a result, 14 aberrantly methylated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened according to the different criteria. We further validated these DEGs in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and obtained Pearson's correlation coefficient (COR) for the relationship between gene expression and DNA methylation. Three candidate genes (SOX9, TCN1, and TGFBI) with COR greater than 0.3 were screened out as Hub genes. The receiver operating characteristic result indicated that SOX9 and TGFBI effectively serve as biomarkers for the early diagnosis of CRC. Furthermore, the potential prognosis of the Hub genes for CRC patients was evaluated. Only TGFBI, which is regulated by methylation, can predict patient disease-free survival. Additionally, we examined the methylation level of the Hub genes in CRC cells in the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia database. Considering that methylation status tends to be highly modified on CpG islands in tumorigenesis, we screened the CpG island methylation of TGFBI based on the TCGA database and verified its diagnostic value in the GEO database. Our result revealed two Hub genes (TCN1 and TGFBI) whose aberrant expressions were regulated by DNA methylation. Additionally, we uncovered the hypermethylation of TGFBI on CpG islands and its clinical value in the diagnosis of CRC.     

Hypermethylated and downregulated MEIS2 are involved in stemness properties and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy resistance of colorectal cancer

The resistance against oxaliplatin (L-OHP) based regimens remains a major obstacle for its efficient usage in treating metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In this study, we performed weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) to systematically screen the relevant hub genes for L-OHP resistance using the raw microarray data of 30 consecutive mCRC samples from our earlier study (GSE69657). The results were further confirmed through datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). From L-OHP resistance module, nine genes in both the coexpression and protein–protein interaction networks were chosen as hub genes. Among these genes, Meis Homeobox 2 (MEIS2) had the highest correlation with L-OHP resistance (r = −0.443) and was deregulated in L-OHP resistant tissues compared with L-OHP sensitive tissues in both our own dataset and GSE104645 testing dataset. The receiver operating characteristic curve validated that MEIS2 had a good ability in predicting L-OHP response in both our own dataset (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.802) and GSE104645 dataset (AUC = 0.746). Then, the down expression of MEIS2 was observed in CRC tissue compared with normal tissue in 12 GEO-sourced datasets and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and was correlated with poor event-free survival. Furthermore, analyzing methylation data from TCGA showed that MEIS2 had increased promoter hypermethylation. In addition, MEIS2 expression was significantly decreased in CRC stem cells compared with nonstem cells in two GEO datasets (GSE14773 and GSE24747). Further methylation analysis from GSE104271 demonstrated that CRC stem cells had higher MEIS2 promoter methylation levels in cg00366722 and cg00610348 sites. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that MEIS2 might be involved in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In the overall view, MEIS2 had increased promoter hypermethylation and was downregulated in poor L-OHP response mCRC tissues. MEIS2 might be involved in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to maintain CRC stemness, which leads to L-OHP resistance.     

Identification of a five-gene signature with prognostic value in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide. Although mortality rates have been decreasing, the prognosis of CRC patients is still highly dependent on the individual. Therefore, identifying and understanding novel biomarkers for CRC prognosis remains crucial. The gene expression profiles of five-gene expression omnibus (GEO) data sets of CRC were first downloaded. A total of 352 consistent differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified for CRC and paired with normal tissues. Functional analysis including gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment revealed that these DEGs were related to metabolic pathways, tight junctions, and the cell cycle. Ten hub DEGs were identified based on the search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes database and protein–protein interaction networks. By using univariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, we found 11 survival-related genes among these DEGs. We finally established a five-gene signature (kinesin family member 15, N-acetyltransferase 2, glutathione peroxidase 3, secretogranin II, and chloride channel accessory 1) with prognostic value in CRC by step multivariate Cox regression analysis. Based on this risk scoring system, patients in the high-risk group had significantly poorer survival results compared with those in the low-risk group (log-rank test, p < 0.0001). Finally, we validated our gene signature scoring system in two independent GEO cohorts (GSE17536 and GSE33113). We found all five of the signature genes to be DEGs in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. In conclusion, our findings suggest that our five DEG-based signature can provide a novel biomarker with useful applications in CRC prognosis.     

Circulating lncRNA UCA1 and lncRNA PGM5-AS1 act as potential diagnostic biomarkers for early-stage colorectal cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and significant malignant diseases worldwide. In the present study, we evaluated two long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in CRC patients as diagnostic markers for early-stage CRC.Methods: Using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE102340","term_id":"102340"}}GSE102340, {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE126092","term_id":"126092"}}GSE126092, {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE109454","term_id":"109454"}}GSE109454 and {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE115856","term_id":"115856"}}GSE115856, 14 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified between cancer and adjacent tissues, among which, the two most differentially expressed were confirmed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in 200 healthy controls and 188 CRC patients. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy for CRC.Results: From four GEO datasets, three up-regulated and eleven down-regulated lncRNAs were identified in CRC tissues, among which, lncRNA urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (UCA1) and lncRNA phosphoglucomutase 5-antisense RNA 1 (PGM5-AS1) were the most significantly up- and down-regulated lncRNAs in CRC patient plasma, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was calculated to be 0.766, 0.754 and 0.798 for UCA1, PGM5-AS1 and the combination of these two lncRNAs, respectively. Moreover, the diagnostic potential of these two lncRNAs was even higher for the early stages of CRC. The combination of UCA1 and PGM5-AS1 enhanced the AUC to 0.832, and when the lncRNAs were used with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), the AUC was further improved to 0.874.Conclusion: In the present study, we identified two lncRNAs, UCA1 and PGM5-AS1, in CRC patients’ plasma, which have the potential to be used as diagnostic biomarkers of CRC.     

Restoration of miR-29b exerts anti-cancer effects on glioblastoma

Background

Methylation plays an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to identify aberrantly methylated-differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways in CRC by comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

Data of gene expression microarrays (GSE68468, GSE44076) and gene methylation microarrays (GSE29490, GSE17648) were downloaded from GEO database. Aberrantly methylated-DEGs were obtained by GEO2R. Functional and enrichment analyses of selected genes were performed using DAVID database. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING and visualized in Cytoscape. MCODE was used for module analysis of the PPI network.

Results

Totally 411 hypomethylation-high expression genes were identified, which were enriched in biological processes of response to wounding or inflammation, cell proliferation and adhesion. Pathway enrichment showed cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, p53 signaling and cell cycle. The top 5 hub genes of PPI network were CAD, CCND1, ATM, RB1 and MET. Additionally, 239 hypermethylation-low expression genes were identified, which demonstrated enrichment in biological processes including cell–cell signaling, nerve impulse transmission, etc. Pathway analysis indicated enrichment in calcium signaling, maturity onset diabetes of the young, cell adhesion molecules, etc. The top 5 hub genes of PPI network were EGFR, ACTA1, SST, ESR1 and DNM2. After validation in TCGA database, most hub genes still remained significant.

Conclusion

In summary, our study indicated possible aberrantly methylated-differentially expressed genes and pathways in CRC by bioinformatics analysis, which may provide novel insights for unraveling pathogenesis of CRC. Hub genes including CAD, CCND1, ATM, RB1, MET, EGFR, ACTA1, SST, ESR1 and DNM2 might serve as aberrantly methylation-based biomarkers for precise diagnosis and treatment of CRC in the future.

     

Analysis of dysregulation of immune system in pancreatic cancer based on gene expression profile

The aim of this study was to explore the dysregulated expression of the immune system in pancreatic cancer and clarify the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. The Dataset GSE15471 was downloaded from GEO database, Student’s t test was used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the pancreatic cancer group and the normal control group. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) provides functional annotation was employed to explore the significant DEGs involved in biological functions. We got 988 significantly DEGs, including 832 up-regulated genes and 156 down-regulated genes. The ratio of up-regulated genes and down-regulated genes was 5.3. Total 13 biological pathways which were significant enriched with DEGs by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Finally, we constructed a overall network of the immune system in pancreatic cancer with these biological pathways information. Our study reveals that dysregulated pathways in pancreatic cancer associated with the immune system. Besides, we also identify some important molecular biomarkers of the pancreatic cancer, including CXCR4 and CD4. Dysfunctional pathways and important molecular biomarkers of pancreatic cancer will provide useful information for potential treatment of pancreatic cancer.     

急性髓系白血病mRNA与非编码RNA差异表达谱及CeRNA调控网络分析

利用GEO数据库(gene expression omnibus database)通过生物信息学分析方法探讨急性髓系白血病(acute myelogenous leukemia,AML)的发病机制。检索GEO数据库中AML相关芯片数据集GSE142698、GSE142699和GSE96535。利用GEO2R分析得到差异mRNAs、miRNAs以及差异lncRNAs。利用在线生物信息学分析工具DAVID对差异mRNAs进行GO富集分析和KEGG通路分析。利用miRWalk数据库预测AML相关miRNAs的靶向mRNAs,利用Spongescan数据库预测AML相关miRNAs的靶向lncRNAs,构建lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA竞争性内源RNA （competing endogenous RNA,ceRNA）调控网络。共筛选出29个显著差异mRNAs、70个显著差异miRNAs和20 005个显著差异lncRNAs。GO富集分析和KEGG通路分析显示,差异表达基因主要涉及蛋白磷酸化、细胞分裂、细胞增殖的负调控、基因表达的正向调节、周期蛋白依赖的丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶活性的调节等生物过程以及细胞周期、细胞衰老、癌症通路、PI3K-Akt通路等信号通路。将miRWalk数据库预测的靶向mRNAs与差异mRNAs取交集,Spongescan数据库预测的靶向lncRNAs与差异lncRNAs取交集,分别确定了25个mRNAs、6个lncRNAs参与AML相关ceRNA调控网络的构建。结果表明,lncRNAs可能作为关键的ceRNA,通过调控miRNA和相关靶基因参与AML的发生与发展,研究结果为AML诊断和治疗的分子生物学研究提供了新的依据。     

Identification of a six-gene prognostic signature for oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common types of malignancies worldwide, and its morbidity and mortality have increased in the near term. Consequently, the purpose of the present study was to identify the notable differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in their pathogenesis to obtain new biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for OSCC. The gene expression profiles of the microarray datasets GSE85195, GSE23558, and GSE10121 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After screening the DEGs in each GEO dataset, 249 DEGs in OSCC tissues were obtained. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology pathway enrichment analysis was employed to explore the biological functions and pathways of the above DEGs. A protein–protein interaction network was constructed to obtain a central gene. The corresponding total survival information was analyzed in patients with oral cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A total of six candidate genes (CXCL10, OAS2, IFIT1, CCL5, LRRK2, and PLAUR) closely related to the survival rate of patients with oral cancer were identified, and expression verification and overall survival analysis of six genes were performed based on TCGA database. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis yields predictive accuracy of the patient's overall survival. At the same time, the six genes were further verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using samples obtained from the patients recruited to the present study. In conclusion, the present study identified the prognostic signature of six genes in OSCC for the first time via comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, which could become potential prognostic markers for OCSS and may provide potential therapeutic targets for tumors.