The exploration of shared genes and molecular mechanisms of systemic lupus erythematosus and atherosclerosis

Abstract

Objective Despite widespread recognition, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and atherosclerosis (AS) are still unclear. Our study aimed to explore the shared genetic signature and molecular mechanisms of SLE and AS using a bioinformatics approach. Methods Gene expression profiles of GSE50772 (contains peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 61 SLE patients and 20 normal samples) and GSE100927 (contains 69 AS plaque tissue samples and 35 control samples) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Database (GEO) before the differentially expressed genes were obtained using the “limma” package in R. The differential genes were then subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis using the DAVID online platform to annotate their functions. The intersection targets of PPI and WGCNA were used as key shared genes for SLE and AS with their diagnostic value as shared genes being verified through ROC curves. Finally, Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to construct a miRNA-mRNA network map associated with the shared genes. Results A total of 246 DEGs were identified, including 189 upregulated genes and 57 downregulated genes, which were mainly enriched in signaling pathways such as TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and NF-kB signaling pathway. The molecular basis for the relationship between SLE and AS may be the aforementioned signaling pathways. Following ROC curve validation, the intersection of PPI and WGCNA, as well as AQP9, CCR1, CD83, CXCL1, and FCGR2A, resulted in the identification of 15 shared genes. Conclusion The study provided a new perspective on the common molecular mechanisms between SLE and AS, and the key genes and pathways that were identified as being part of these pathways may offer fresh perspectives and suggestions for further experimental research.

Mechanism of Action of Tripterygium wilfordii on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

“…The study found that SLE and atherosclerosis share 246 common genes, including 189 upregulated and 57 downregulated genes, which are mainly enriched in TNF-α, IL-17 and NF-κB signaling pathway. The molecular mechanism underlying the association between SLE and atherosclerosis may be the above-mentioned pathways [38] . The PI3K-Akt signaling pathway is a major signaling pathway in cells and it is closely related to mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR).…”