Analyzing Pooled Microarray Gene Expression Data to Uncover Common Pathways in Periodontitis and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma from the Gene Expression Omnibus

Abstract

Periodontitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are prevalent oral diseases with distinct etiologies, yet they share certain molecular and biological characteristics. Gene expression datasets from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) repository (GSE30784 for OSCC and GSE10334 for periodontitis) were analyzed. Data preprocessing and differential gene expression analysis using GEO2R identified common differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and FunRich software facilitated the construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network on the STRING database. Cytoscape, coupled with the CytoHubba plugin, identified Cluster of Differentiation 19 (CD19) and Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) as the top hub genes, with Complement C3 (C3) also highly ranked. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted pathways such as the B-cell receptor signaling pathway, complement and coagulation cascades, and hematopoietic cell lineage. Additionally, miRNet analysis identified key miRNAs, including hsa-mir-26a-5p, hsa-mir-129-2-3p, and hsa-mir-27a-3p, associated with these pathways. These findings suggested an association of molecular mechanisms between periodontitis and OSCC, with identified hub genes and miRNAs potentially serving as therapeutic targets.