{"title":"Bioinformatics Analysis of Key Differentially Expressed Genes in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Mice Models.","authors":"Chao Hou, Wenwen Feng, Shan Wei, Yulin Wang, Xiaoyi Xu, Jin Wei, Ziliang Ma, Yongsheng Du, Jialin Guo, Yu He, Fanyun Kong, Renxian Tang, Kuiyang Zheng","doi":"10.3727/105221618X15341831737687","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver without effect of other pathological factors including hepatitis infection and alcohol abuse. Current studies indicate that gene factors play important roles in the development of NAFLD. However, the molecular characteristics of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and associated mechanisms with NAFLD have not been well elucidated. Using two microarray data associated with the gene expression profiling in liver tissues of NAFLD mice models, we identified and selected several common key DEGs that contributed to NAFLD. Based on bioinformatics analysis, we discovered that the DEGs were associated with a variety of biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions and were also related to several significant pathways. Via pathway crosstalk analysis based on overlapping DEGs, we observed that the identified pathways could form large and complex crosstalk networks. Besides, large and complex protein interaction networks of DEGs were further constructed. In addition, many hub host factors with a high degree of connectivity were identified based on interaction networks. Furthermore, significant modules in interaction networks were found, and the DEGs in the identified modules were found to be enriched with distinct pathways. Taken together, these results suggest that the key DEGs, associated pathways, and modules contribute to the development of NAFLD and might be used as novel molecular targets for the treatment of NAFLD.</p>","PeriodicalId":12502,"journal":{"name":"Gene expression","volume":"19 1","pages":"25-35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2018-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3727/105221618X15341831737687","citationCount":"12","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Gene expression","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3727/105221618X15341831737687","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2018/8/22 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 12
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver without effect of other pathological factors including hepatitis infection and alcohol abuse. Current studies indicate that gene factors play important roles in the development of NAFLD. However, the molecular characteristics of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and associated mechanisms with NAFLD have not been well elucidated. Using two microarray data associated with the gene expression profiling in liver tissues of NAFLD mice models, we identified and selected several common key DEGs that contributed to NAFLD. Based on bioinformatics analysis, we discovered that the DEGs were associated with a variety of biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions and were also related to several significant pathways. Via pathway crosstalk analysis based on overlapping DEGs, we observed that the identified pathways could form large and complex crosstalk networks. Besides, large and complex protein interaction networks of DEGs were further constructed. In addition, many hub host factors with a high degree of connectivity were identified based on interaction networks. Furthermore, significant modules in interaction networks were found, and the DEGs in the identified modules were found to be enriched with distinct pathways. Taken together, these results suggest that the key DEGs, associated pathways, and modules contribute to the development of NAFLD and might be used as novel molecular targets for the treatment of NAFLD.
期刊介绍:
Gene Expression, The Journal of Liver Research will publish articles in all aspects of hepatology. Hepatology, as a research discipline, has seen unprecedented growth especially in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of hepatic health and disease, which continues to have a major impact on understanding liver development, stem cells, carcinogenesis, tissue engineering, injury, repair, regeneration, immunology, metabolism, fibrosis, and transplantation. Continued research and improved understanding in these areas will have a meaningful impact on liver disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The existing journal Gene Expression has expanded its focus to become Gene Expression, The Journal of Liver Research to meet this growing demand. In its revised and expanded scope, the journal will publish high-impact original articles, reviews, short but complete articles, and special articles (editorials, commentaries, opinions) on all aspects of hepatology, making it a unique and invaluable resource for readers interested in this field. The expanded team, led by an Editor-in-Chief who is uniquely qualified and a renowned expert, along with a dynamic and functional editorial board, is determined to make this a premier journal in the field of hepatology.