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Weighted gene coexpression network reveals downregulation of genes in bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Author(s) -
Liu Wangkai,
Su Yihua,
Li Sitao,
Chen Haitian,
Liu Yumei,
Li Xiaoyu,
Shen Wei,
Zhong Xinqi,
Wu Fan,
Meng Qiong,
Jiang Xiaoyun
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.25141
Subject(s) - bronchopulmonary dysplasia , gene , pathogenesis , medicine , downregulation and upregulation , egr1 , umbilical cord , gene expression , cancer research , oncogene , phenotype , immunology , biology , genetics , cell cycle , gestational age , pregnancy
Background Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a serious lung disease observed in premature infants, known to cause considerable morbidity and mortality. Its prognosis is influenced by a complex network of genetic interactions. In this study, we determined the potential key factors in the pathogenesis of this condition. Methods We constructed scale‐free gene coexpression network using weighted gene coexpression network analysis. The analysis was carried out on the GSE8586 dataset, which contains the expression profiles of umbilical cord tissue homogenates from 20 neonates with BPD and 34 unaffected controls. Results Our analysis identified one significantly downregulated coexpression module related to the BPD phenotype. It was significantly enriched in genes related to human T‐cell leukemia virus infection and the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway. In this module, the expression of the following four hub genes in infants with BPD was significantly decreased: Fos proto‐oncogene ( FOS ), BTG antiproliferation factor 2 ( BTG2 ), Jun proto‐oncogene ( JUN ), and early growth response protein 1 ( EGR1 ). The downregulation of these hub genes was verified in clinical samples derived from blood and umbilical cord tissue. Conclusion The decreased expression of FOS, BTG2, JUN , and EGR1 is associated with BPD and, therefore, could be used as biomarkers to diagnose early BPD.