Expression profile analysis based on DNA microarray for patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a significant health concern.
• Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery is a primary treatment for CHD.
• Understanding the molecular underpinnings of OPCAB is crucial for optimizing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular mechanisms associated with OPCAB surgery.
• To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) before and after OPCAB.
• To construct gene and miRNA regulatory networks to elucidate molecular interactions.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE12486.
• Identification of DEGs using bioinformatics tools.
• Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for sample differentiation.
• Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis.
• Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and miRNA regulatory network construction using Cytoscape.

Main Results:

• 64 DEGs (63 upregulated, 1 downregulated) were identified.
• PCA effectively distinguished pre- and post-OPCAB samples.
• Upregulated DEGs were enriched in terms like chemokine activity and the chemokine signaling pathway.
• A PPI network highlighted 10 hub nodes, including FOS.
• 36 miRNAs were identified, and a regulatory network revealed interactions, such as EGR2 being regulated by 8 miRNAs.

Conclusions:

• OPCAB surgery induces significant changes in gene expression profiles.
• Chemokine signaling pathways and specific hub genes like FOS are implicated in OPCAB.
• Identified DEGs and their regulatory miRNAs, such as MIR-224 and MIR-7, may play critical roles in post-OPCAB patient molecular responses.