Machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identify a three-gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune-related disease characterized by synovial inflammation and destruction of joint cartilage. The pathogenesis of RA remains unclear, and diagnostic markers with high sensitivity and specificity are needed urgently. This study aims to identify po...

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Main Authors: Ying-Kai Wu, Cai-De Liu, Chao Liu, Jun Wu, Zong-Gang Xie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1387311/full
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author Ying-Kai Wu
Ying-Kai Wu
Cai-De Liu
Chao Liu
Jun Wu
Zong-Gang Xie
author_facet Ying-Kai Wu
Ying-Kai Wu
Cai-De Liu
Chao Liu
Jun Wu
Zong-Gang Xie
author_sort Ying-Kai Wu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune-related disease characterized by synovial inflammation and destruction of joint cartilage. The pathogenesis of RA remains unclear, and diagnostic markers with high sensitivity and specificity are needed urgently. This study aims to identify potential biomarkers in the synovium for diagnosing RA and to investigate their association with immune infiltration.MethodsWe downloaded four datasets containing 51 RA and 36 healthy synovium samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes were identified using R. Then, various enrichment analyses were conducted. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), random forest (RF), support vector machine–recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to identify the hub genes for RA diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic curves and nomogram models were used to validate the specificity and sensitivity of hub genes. Additionally, we analyzed the infiltration levels of 28 immune cells in the expression profile and their relationship with the hub genes using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis.ResultsThree hub genes, namely, ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2), DLG-associated protein 5 (DLGAP5), and kinesin family member 11 (KIF11), were identified through WGCNA, LASSO, SVM-RFE, and RF algorithms. These hub genes correlated strongly with T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophage cells as indicated by immune cell infiltration analysis.ConclusionRRM2, DLGAP5, and KIF11 could serve as potential diagnostic indicators and treatment targets for RA. The infiltration of immune cells offers additional insights into the underlying mechanisms involved in the progression of RA.
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spelling doaj.art-8b472fbde2c744e4a7f8b6d249b76f862024-04-22T05:07:33ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242024-04-011510.3389/fimmu.2024.13873111387311Machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identify a three-gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritisYing-Kai Wu0Ying-Kai Wu1Cai-De Liu2Chao Liu3Jun Wu4Zong-Gang Xie5Department of Orthopaedic, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, Ningyang County First People’s Hospital, Tai an, ChinaDepartment of General Practice, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Wei Fang, ChinaGynecology and Obstetrics, Ningyang County Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Tai an, ChinaMedical Cosmetology and Plastic Surgery Center, LinYi People’s Hospital, Lin Yi, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedic, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, ChinaBackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune-related disease characterized by synovial inflammation and destruction of joint cartilage. The pathogenesis of RA remains unclear, and diagnostic markers with high sensitivity and specificity are needed urgently. This study aims to identify potential biomarkers in the synovium for diagnosing RA and to investigate their association with immune infiltration.MethodsWe downloaded four datasets containing 51 RA and 36 healthy synovium samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes were identified using R. Then, various enrichment analyses were conducted. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), random forest (RF), support vector machine–recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to identify the hub genes for RA diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic curves and nomogram models were used to validate the specificity and sensitivity of hub genes. Additionally, we analyzed the infiltration levels of 28 immune cells in the expression profile and their relationship with the hub genes using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis.ResultsThree hub genes, namely, ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2), DLG-associated protein 5 (DLGAP5), and kinesin family member 11 (KIF11), were identified through WGCNA, LASSO, SVM-RFE, and RF algorithms. These hub genes correlated strongly with T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophage cells as indicated by immune cell infiltration analysis.ConclusionRRM2, DLGAP5, and KIF11 could serve as potential diagnostic indicators and treatment targets for RA. The infiltration of immune cells offers additional insights into the underlying mechanisms involved in the progression of RA.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1387311/fullrheumatoid arthritishub genesmachine learningimmune cell infiltrationWGCNA
spellingShingle Ying-Kai Wu
Ying-Kai Wu
Cai-De Liu
Chao Liu
Jun Wu
Zong-Gang Xie
Machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identify a three-gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
Frontiers in Immunology
rheumatoid arthritis
hub genes
machine learning
immune cell infiltration
WGCNA
title Machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identify a three-gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
title_full Machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identify a three-gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
title_fullStr Machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identify a three-gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
title_full_unstemmed Machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identify a three-gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
title_short Machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identify a three-gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
title_sort machine learning and weighted gene co expression network analysis identify a three gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
topic rheumatoid arthritis
hub genes
machine learning
immune cell infiltration
WGCNA
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1387311/full
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