Identification of differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways in human conjunctiva and reproductive tract infected with Chlamydia trachomatis

Abstract

Background Currently, Chlamydia trachomatis–specific host defense mechanisms in humans remain poorly defined. To study the characteristics of host cells infected early with Chlamydia trachomatis, we used bioinformatics methods to analyze the RNA transcription profiles of the conjunctiva, fallopian tubes, and endometrium in humans infected with Chlamydia trachomatis. Method The gene expression profiles of GSE20430, GSE20436, GSE26692, and GSE41075 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Synthesis (GEO) database. Then, we obtained the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through the R 4.0.1 software. STRING was used to construct protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks; then, the Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to visualize the PPI and screen hub genes. GraphPad Prism 8.0 software was used to verify the expression of the hub gene. In addition, the gene–miRNA interaction was constructed on the NetworkAnalyst 3.0 platform using the miRTarBase v8.0 database. Results A total of 600 and 135 DEGs were screened out in the conjunctival infection group and the reproductive tract infection group, respectively. After constructing a PPI network and verifying the hub genes, CSF2, CD40, and CSF3 in the reproductive tract infection group proved to have considerable statistical significance. Conclusion In our research, the key genes in the biological process of reproductive tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis were clarified through bioinformatics analysis. These hub genes may be further used in clinical treatment and clinical diagnosis.

Identification and validation of ferroptosis-related genes in patients infected with dengue virus: implication in the pathogenesis of DENV

“…In the present research, NetworkAnalyst 3.0 platform using the miRTarBase v8.0 database ( https://www.networkanalyst.ca/NetworkAnalyst/home.xhtml ) was used to build pathways upstream of hub genes to reveal the potential miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks [ 22 ]. And Cytoscape software v3.6.1 was used to construct and visualize the regulatory networks [ 23 ].…”

MicroRNAs as Potential Biomarkers for the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Recent Advances and Future Directions

“…Te majority of CT infections exhibit a hidden or prolonged course with mild or no obvious symptoms. Tey have the potential for widespread transmission and commonly result in various complications [39]. Prior research has provided evidence suggesting that CT infections can infict substantial harm on the female reproductive system [40].…”

Neohesperidin promotes the osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

“…Next, the enriched Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were performed by using the clusterProfiler R package [19]. To predict protein-protein interactions, Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRI NG) database was used (https://string-db.org) [20]. Also, Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE), one plug-in unit of Cytoscape, was set to screen the models of PPI network.…”