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Journal of Translational Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Comprehensive identification of immune-associated biomarkers based on network and mRNA expression patterns in membranous glomerulonephritis

Authors: Chengwei Zhang, Lei Leng, Xiaoming Zhang, Yao Zhao, Zhaozheng Li

Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adult patients. Despite extensive evidences suggested that many immune-related genes could serve as effective biomarkers in MGN, the potential has not been sufficiently understood because of most previous studies have concentrated on individual gene and not the entire interaction network.

Methods

Here, we integrated multiple levels of data containing immune-related genes, MGN-related genes, protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks and gene expression profiling data to construct an immune or MGN-directed neighbor network (IOMDN network) and an MGN-related genes-directed network (MGND network).

Results

Our analysis suggested that immune-related genes in the PPI network have special topological characteristics and expression pattern related to MGN. We also identified five network modules which showed tighter network structure and stronger correlation of expression. In addition, functional and drug target analyses of genes in modules indicated that the potential mechanism for MGN.

Conclusions

Collectively, these results indicated that the strong associations between immune and MGN and showed the potential of immune-related genes as novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for MGN.

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Title: Comprehensive identification of immune-associated biomarkers based on network and mRNA expression patterns in membranous glomerulonephritis
Authors: Chengwei Zhang
Lei Leng
Xiaoming Zhang
Yao Zhao
Zhaozheng Li
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1479-5876
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-018-1586-4

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Conclusions

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