Identification of Key Genes and Underlying Mechanisms in Cystic Fibrosis and its Associated Complications Based on Bioinformatics Analysis of Next Generation Sequencing Data Analysis

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the inherited autosomal recessive disorders with very complicated pathogenesis. Identifying the molecular signatures and specific biomarkers of CF might provide novel clues for CF and and CF associated complications prognosis and targeted therapy. Based on the nexgeneration sequencing (NGS) dataset GSE136371 downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CF samples and normal controls were identified by using DESeq2 bioconductor package of R software. Gene ontology (GO) and REACTOME pathway enrichment analyses were applied for the DEGs. Then protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of these DEGs was visualized by Cytoscape with IMEx interactome database. The most significant module from the PPI network was selected for GO and pathway enrichment analysis. Subsequently, a miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network were constructed to identify hub genes, miRNAs and TFs. Finally, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was established to validate these hub genes. Total of 917 DEGs were identified between CF and normal control samples in GSE136371 dataset, including 479 up regulated and 438 down regulated genes. The most enriched DEGs in GO and pathway enrichment analysis were mainly associated with response to stimulus, regulation of cellular process, Neutrophil degranulation and rRNA processing. PPI network, module analysis, miRNA-hub gene regulatory network and TF-hub gene regulatory network predicted ten hub genes (FN1, UBE2D1, SRPK1, MAPK14, CEBPB, HSP90AB1, HSPA8, XRCC6, NCL and PARP1). In conclusion, the DEGs, relative pathways and hub genes identified in the present study might aid in understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CF and CF associated complications progression and provide potential molecular targets and biomarkers for CF and CF associated complications.