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European Journal of Medical Research

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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Fatty Liver | Research

Bioinformatics analysis of ferroptosis-related genes and immune cell infiltration in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Authors: Huan Zhang, Malina Axinbai, Yuqing Zhao, Jiaoyang Wei, Tongshuo Qu, Jingmin Kong, Yongqiang He, Liping Zhang

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

Abstract

Background

The morbidity and mortality rates of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have been steadily increasing in recent years. Previous studies have confirmed the important role of ferroptosis in NAFLD development; however, the precise mechanism through which ferroptosis influences NAFLD occurrence remains unclear. The present study aimed to identify and validate ferroptosis-related genes involved in NAFLD pathogenesis and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of NAFLD.

Methods

We downloaded microarray datasets GSE72756 and GSE24807 to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between samples from healthy individuals and patients with NAFLD. From these DEGs, we extracted ferroptosis-related DEGs. GSE89632, another microarray dataset, was used to validate the expression of ferroptosis-related genes. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of ferroptosis-related genes was then constructed. The target genes were also subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Finally, competing endogenous RNA networks were constructed. We used the CIBERSORT package to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells infiltration in NAFLD.

Results

Five ferroptosis-related genes (SCP2, MUC1, DPP4, SLC1A4, and TF) were identified as promising diagnostic biomarkers for NAFLD. Enrichment analyses revealed that these genes are mainly involved in metabolic processes. NEAT1-miR-1224-5p-SCP2, NEAT1-miR-485-5p-MUC1, MALAT1-miR-485-5p-MUC1, and CNOT6-miR-145-5p-SLC1A4 are likely to be the potential RNA regulatory pathways that affect NAFLD development. Principal component analysis indicated significant differences in immune cell infiltration between the two groups.

Conclusions

This study identified five ferroptosis-related genes as potential biomarkers for diagnosing NAFLD. The correlations between the expression of ferroptosis-related genes and immune cell infiltration might shed light on the study of the molecular mechanism underlying NAFLD development.

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Title: Bioinformatics analysis of ferroptosis-related genes and immune cell infiltration in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Huan Zhang
Malina Axinbai
Yuqing Zhao
Jiaoyang Wei
Tongshuo Qu
Jingmin Kong
Yongqiang He
Liping Zhang
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Fatty Liver
Published in: European Journal of Medical Research / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2047-783X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01457-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Bioinformatics analysis of ferroptosis-related genes and immune cell infiltration in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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