ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disease that carries a major health burden, but the exact mechanism of the disease is not yet known. AIM: To identify the key genes and micro (mi)RNAs in AD, and to explore their potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS: From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we downloaded microarray data for GSE32924 (mRNA profile) and GSE31408 (miRNA profile), which were analysed using GEO2R. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID database, and the protein-protein interaction network was constructed with Cytoscape software. In addition, targets of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were predicted by the online resource miRDB. RESULTS: In total, 328 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 121 upregulated and 207 downregulated genes. Gene Ontology analyses showed that upregulated genes were significantly enriched in immune responses, while downregulated genes were mainly involved in epidermis development. In addition, we identified three DEMs, all of which were downregulated. Hsa-let-7a-5p may target CCR7, and hsa-miR-26a-5p probably targets HAS3. CONCLUSIONS: We identified lists of DEGs and DEMs in AD. Bioinformatics and interaction analysis may provide new clues for further studies of AD.
Subject(s)
Computational Biology/methods , Dermatitis, Atopic/genetics , Gene Regulatory Networks , MicroRNAs/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Databases, Genetic , Female , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation , Gene Ontology , Humans , Hyaluronan Synthases/genetics , Male , Middle Aged , Receptors, CCR7/genetics , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue (PFPT) is a disorder in which the fungiform papillae of the tongue have abnormal coloration. However, Chinese-specific clinical data for PFPT are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of PFPT among the Chinese population. METHODS: A survey was carried out using a clinical examination and a questionnaire on 14,346 first-time outpatients in our dermatology department, and 58 cases of PFPT were subsequently diagnosed. RESULTS: The prevalence of PFPT was 0.4% among dermatological outpatients. All patients had pin-sized, brownish fungiform papillae on the tip, lateral or dorsal parts of the tongue. Of the three subtypes, type I was the most common (87.93%). PFPT generally coexisted with Hori's nevus (48.28%), melasma (20.69%), hysteromyoma (24.14%) and breast cystic hyperplasia (20.69%). CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that PFPT is a relatively common disorder among Chinese outpatients, and it was presumed to be closely coupled with Hori's nevus, melasma and other disorders.
