Background
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common gastrointestinal disease. The incidence of acute pancreatitis complicated with acute lung injury is high. In fact, the complication is the primary cause of early death in patients with acute pancreatitis. The purpose of this study was to clarify the genetic mechanism of acute pancreatitis complicated by lung injury using bioinformatics and to identify possible therapeutic drug options.
Methods
The dataset for acute pancreatitis, numbered GSE77983, and the dataset for acute lung injury, numbered GSE58654, were identified from the Gene Expression Ombibus (GEO) database. GEO2R was used to identify the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene ontology and pathway analyses were used to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of DEGs. A protein interaction network from common DEGs was constructed using the STRING database to screen for hub genes. The transcription factors and miRNAs of hub genes were identified based on the NetworkAnalyst platform. Hub genes were validated at the human organ and single-cell levels. Finally, potential therapeutic compounds were designed.
Results
We found 61 common DEGs. The enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly concentrated in the cellular response to external stimuli, nutrient levels, and apoptosis. Fifteen hub genes were identified with a protein interaction network, and six hub genes (Angptl4, Cyr61, F3, Krt8, Sphk1, and Vcan) were verified at the single-cell and human tissue levels. At the single-cell level, the gene was shown to be mainly expressed in alveolar type I and II epithelial cells and mesothelial cells of the pancreas. Potential therapeutic compounds include MS-275 PC3 UP, 7614-21-3 CTD 00000893, troglitazone CTD, anisomycin PC3 UP, and 8-azaguanine PC3 UP.
Conclusions
Acute pancreatitis and acute lung injury co-express six hub genes, which may be the bridge to understanding the genetic mechanism of acute pancreatitis complicated with acute lung injury.