Identification of Key Genes of Airway Epithelial Cells in Asthma Patients by Bioinformatics-based Analysis / 中国医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective We aimed to identify key genes and pathways of airway epithelial cells involved in bronchial asthma by comparing genetic information in the databases for patients with bronchial asthma and normal people. Methods To find differentially expressed genes (DEGs), mRNA microarray dataset, GSE43696, of airway epithelial cells in asthma was analyzed by GE02R. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed for DEGs using the DAVID database. The protein-protein interaction networks were established using STRING to identify key genes and important complexes. Results A total of 355 DEGs were identified; of which, 130 were up-regulated and 225, down-regulated. The genes identified were involved in cell movement, growth factor binding, and ion channel activity. Nine key genes were recognized, including BDNF, ERBB2 IL6, VEGFA, KIT, ADCY4, PRKAR2B, CCR6, and NMU. Conclusion All nine key genes identified play important roles in asthma and serve as potential targets for treatment of bronchial asthma.