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European Journal of Medical Research

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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Biomarkers | Research

Identification of hub genes and their correlation with immune infiltrating cells in membranous nephropathy: an integrated bioinformatics analysis

Authors: Miaoru Han, Yi Wang, Xiaoyan Huang, Ping Li, Xing Liang, Rongrong Wang, Kun Bao

Published in: European Journal of Medical Research | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a chronic glomerular disease that leads to nephrotic syndrome in adults. The aim of this study was to identify novel biomarkers and immune-related mechanisms in the progression of MN through an integrated bioinformatics approach.

Methods

The microarray data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between MN and normal samples were identified and analyzed by the Gene Ontology analysis, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis and the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) enrichment. Hub The hub genes were screened and identified by the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves evaluated the diagnostic value of hub genes. The single-sample GSEA analyzed the infiltration degree of several immune cells and their correlation with the hub genes.

Results

We identified a total of 574 DEGs. The enrichment analysis showed that metabolic and immune-related functions and pathways were significantly enriched. Four co-expression modules were obtained using WGCNA. The candidate signature genes were intersected with DEGs and then subjected to the LASSO analysis, obtaining a total of 6 hub genes. The ROC curves indicated that the hub genes were associated with a high diagnostic value. The CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells and B cells significantly infiltrated in MN samples and correlated with the hub genes.

Conclusions

We identified six hub genes (ZYX, CD151, N4BP2L2-IT2, TAPBP, FRAS1 and SCARNA9) as novel biomarkers for MN, providing potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment.

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Title: Identification of hub genes and their correlation with immune infiltrating cells in membranous nephropathy: an integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Miaoru Han
Yi Wang
Xiaoyan Huang
Ping Li
Xing Liang
Rongrong Wang
Kun Bao
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Biomarkers
Published in: European Journal of Medical Research / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2047-783X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01311-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Identification of hub genes and their correlation with immune infiltrating cells in membranous nephropathy: an integrated bioinformatics analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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