Identification of key pathways and differentially expressed genes in bronchopulmonary dysplasia using bioinformatics analysis.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to discover unknown differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), analyze their functions and enriched signaling pathways, and identify hub genes correlating with BPD incidence and evolvement. Of 1289 DEGs identified, 568 were downregulated and 721 were upregulated. The DEGs were mainly associated with oxidative stress, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix, inflammation, cell cycle, and protein binding. Eight DEGs were identified as hub genes, including C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (Cxcl5), connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), interleukin 6 (IL6), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (Mmp9), mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (Mapk14), platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (Pecam1), TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (Timp1), and TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 2 (Timp2). IL6 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in the peripheral blood of neonates with BPD. Hence, BPD involves complex biological changes. Our findings indicate that inflammation and angiogenesis may play major roles in BPD pathogenesis and that IL6 has the potential to serve as a biomarker for early BPD diagnosis.