Journal Article

Identification of key genes and long non‑coding RNA expression profiles in osteoporosis with rheumatoid arthritis based on bioinformatics analysis

An, Jin-yu, Ma, Xing-na, Hu, Hui-dong, Wen, Hui-long

2024

Overview

Background Although rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic tissue disease often accompanied by osteoporosis (OP), the molecular mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of RA and OP by identifying differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) using a bioinformatics approach. Methods Expression profiles of individuals diagnosed with OP and RA were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential expression analysis was conducted. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to gain insights into the functional categories and molecular/biochemical pathways associated with DEmRNAs. We identified the intersection of common DEmRNAs and lncRNAs and constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Correlation analysis between the common DEmRNAs and lncRNAs facilitated the construction of a coding-non-coding network. Lastly, serum peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with RA and OP, as well as healthy controls, were obtained for TRAP staining and qRT-PCR to validate the findings obtained from the online dataset assessments. Results A total of 28 DEmRNAs and 2 DElncRNAs were identified in individuals with both RA and OP. Chromosomal distribution analysis of the consensus DEmRNAs revealed that chromosome 1 had the highest number of differential expression genes. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that these DEmRNAs were primarily associated with \" platelets (PLTs) degranulation”, “platelet alpha granules”, “platelet activation”, “tight junctions” and “leukocyte transendothelial migration”, with many genes functionally related to PLTs. In the PPI network, MT-ATP6 and PTGS1 emerged as potential hub genes, with MT-ATP6 originating from mitochondrial DNA. Co-expression analysis identified two key lncRNA-mRNA pairs: RP11 − 815J21.2 with MT − ATP6 and RP11 − 815J21.2 with PTGS1. Experimental validation confirmed significant differential expression of RP11-815J21.2, MT-ATP6 and PTGS1 between the healthy controls and the RA + OP groups. Notably, knockdown of RP11-815J21.2 attenuated TNF + IL-6-induced osteoclastogenesis. Conclusions This study successfully identified shared dysregulated genes and potential therapeutic targets in individuals with RA and OP, highlighting their molecular similarities. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of RA and OP and suggest potential avenues for further research and targeted therapies.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Analysis / Arthritis, Rheumatoid - genetics / Bioinformatics / Bone density / Care and treatment / Chromosome 1 / Co-expression network / Complications and side effects / Computational Biology / Correlation analysis / Cytokines / Datasets / Degranulation / Development and progression / Differentially expressed genes / Epidemiology / Female / Fractures / Gene expression / Gene Expression Profiling / Gene Ontology / Gene Regulatory Networks / Genetic aspects / Humans / Internal Medicine / Leukocyte migration / Leukocytes (mononuclear) / lncRNA / Male / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Mitochondrial DNA / Molecular modelling / Non-coding RNA / Orthopedics / Osteoclastogenesis / Osteoporosis / Osteoporosis - genetics / Pathogenesis / Peripheral blood mononuclear cells / Platelets / Protein interaction / Protein Interaction Maps / Protein-protein interaction network / Protein-protein interactions / Rehabilitation / Rheumatoid arthritis / Rheumatology / RNA, Long Noncoding - genetics / RNA, Messenger - genetics / Sports Medicine / Therapeutic targets / Tight junctions / Transcriptome