Using Micro- and Macro-Level Network Metrics Unveils Top Communicative Gene Modules in Psoriasis

Abstract

(1) Background: Psoriasis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin, with significant morbidity, characterized by hyperproliferation of the epidermis. Even though psoriasis’ etiology is not fully understood, it is believed to be multifactorial, with numerous key components. (2) Methods: In order to cast light on the complex molecular interactions in psoriasis vulgaris at both protein–protein interactions and transcriptomics levels, we studied a set of microarray gene expression analyses consisting of 170 paired lesional and non-lesional samples. Afterwards, a network analysis was conducted on the protein–protein interaction network of differentially expressed genes based on micro- and macro-level network metrics at a systemic level standpoint. (3) Results: We found 17 top communicative genes, all of which were experimentally proven to be pivotal in psoriasis, which were identified in two modules, namely the cell cycle and immune system. Intra- and inter-gene interaction subnetworks from the top communicative genes might provide further insight into the corresponding characteristic interactions. (4) Conclusions: Potential gene combinations for therapeutic/diagnostics purposes were identified. Moreover, our proposed workflow could be of interest to a broader range of future biological network analysis studies.

A new perspective of Ferroptosis in People with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis basing on a bioinformatics analysis

“…There is growing interest in microarray platforms as a way to detect genetic alterations and to determine biomarkers for many diseases 10 . Several biomarkers and pathways have been implicated in the development of psoriasis in previous studies on microarray data 11,12 , but still no studies focus on the link between ferroptosis and psoriasis. In this study, we compared the gene expression of patients with psoriasis arthritis or psoriasis and normal person by integrated bioinformatics methods.…”

An integrative analysis to reveal that CLEC2B and ferroptosis may bridge the gap between psoriatic arthritis and cancer development

“…Therefore, we propose the hypothesis that association analysis between hub genes contributed to PsA development and ferroptosis regulators may provide a new perspective on the pathogenesis of high cancer risk in patients with PsA.There is growing interest in microarray platforms as a way to detect genetic alterations and to determine biomarkers for many diseases 13 . Several biomarkers and pathways have been implicated in the development of PsD in previous studies on microarray data 14,15 . Moreover, genetic and proteomic studies also confirmed the overlap and differences between PsC and PsA.…”

“…There is growing interest in microarray platforms as a way to detect genetic alterations and to determine biomarkers for many diseases 13 . Several biomarkers and pathways have been implicated in the development of PsD in previous studies on microarray data 14,15 . Moreover, genetic and proteomic studies also confirmed the overlap and differences between PsC and PsA.…”

Special Issue: Autoimmune Disease Genetics

“…Cho et al described two polymorphisms in GPR174 and ITM2A genes on the X chromosome that might be associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) in Korean children [ 1 ]. Naderi et al identified 17 potential genes proven to be pivotal in psoriasis for therapeutic/diagnostics purposes in that pathology [ 2 ].…”