Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Diagnostic Genes in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Periodontitis

Abstract

Background: Over the last decade, there has been an increasing number of clinical and laboratory evidence supporting associations between Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and periodontitis, but few studies have been conducted on the underlying mechanisms of the two diseases through the transcriptomic approach. In this study, gene co-expression networks between PCOS and periodontitis were analyzed by bioinformatics tools. Methods: PCOS and periodontitis expression data were downloaded from the GEO database, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. After obtaining Intersected genes, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and random forest (RF) algorithm were used to screen hub genes in PCOS and periodontitis. The functions of the hub genes were analyzed by GSEA, and the correlations between hub genes and immune infiltration in two diseases were examined. Furthermore, a TF-ceRNA regulatory network of hub genes was constructed. Results: There were 1,661 DEGs in PCOS and 701 DEGs in periodontitis compared to the controls. After overlapping, 66 intersected genes were shown to be involved in PCOS and periodontitis, and were mainly enriched in immune and inflammation-related biological processes and pathways. 40 common genes were selected from the PPI network constructed by STRING. The RF algorithm demonstrated that ACSL5, NLRP12, CCRL2, and CEACAM3 were hub genes in PCOS and periodontitis, and the GSEA result revealed their close relationship with the antigen processing and presentation, and chemokine signaling pathway. Moreover, the data showed that those 4 hub genes may serve as diagnostic genes for PCOS and periodontitis. Conclusion: This study identified ACSL5, NLRP12, CCRL2, and CEACAM3 as the diagnostic genes at the intersection of PCOS and periodontitis, and establish a ceRNA network, which could provide a molecular basis for future experimental studies on the association between PCOS and periodontitis.