Qingling Kang1, Wei Li1, Juan Xiao1, Nan Yu1, Lei Fan1, Menghan Sha1, Songyan Ma1, Jianli Wu1, Suhua Chen2. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China. Electronic address: tj_csh@163.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the major causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in pregnancy worldwide. However, the intrinsic molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PE have not yet been fully elucidated. METHODS: Robust rank aggregation (RRA), weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) methods were used to identify robust differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and hub genes in preeclampsia and subgroups based on 10 Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Subsequently, enrichment analysis and correlation analysis were performed to explore the potential function of the robust DEGs and hub genes. The diagnostic role of hub genes was further investigated by GSE12767. The miRNA regulators and the effect of hypoxia on hub genes were explored by using GSE84260 and GSE65271, respectively. RESULTS: Robust DEGs were identified in each subgroup including preeclampsia. Totally, 24 hub genes enriched in inflammatory response, renin-angiotensin system and JAK-STAT pathway, and 24 related miRNA regulators were identified. DISCUSSION: Our integrated analysis identified novel gene signatures in preeclampsia and subgroups and will contribute to the understanding of comprehensive molecular changes in preeclampsia.
INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the major causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in pregnancy worldwide. However, the intrinsic molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PE have not yet been fully elucidated. METHODS: Robust rank aggregation (RRA), weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) methods were used to identify robust differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and hub genes in preeclampsia and subgroups based on 10 Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Subsequently, enrichment analysis and correlation analysis were performed to explore the potential function of the robust DEGs and hub genes. The diagnostic role of hub genes was further investigated by GSE12767. The miRNA regulators and the effect of hypoxia on hub genes were explored by using GSE84260 and GSE65271, respectively. RESULTS: Robust DEGs were identified in each subgroup including preeclampsia. Totally, 24 hub genes enriched in inflammatory response, renin-angiotensin system and JAK-STAT pathway, and 24 related miRNA regulators were identified. DISCUSSION: Our integrated analysis identified novel gene signatures in preeclampsia and subgroups and will contribute to the understanding of comprehensive molecular changes in preeclampsia.