Bioinformatics analysis and verification of key genes associated with recurrent respiratory tract infections

We evaluated the key genes related with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs), and then elucidated the possible molecular mechanisms of RRTIs. Neutrophil was isolated from peripheral bloods of the recurrent lower respiratory tract infection patients and healthy volunteers, respectively. The next generation sequencing information was obtained after RNA extraction, purification, library construction and sequencing. The sequencing information was preprocessed. Bioinformatics analysis including analysis of differentially expre-ssed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis and transcription factors analysis were performed. The key genes were verified by real-time PCR. In total, 17 significant DEGs were obtained in case group compared with the control group by bioinformatics analysis. Then, 6 of 17 genes were detected by real-time PCR. There was statistical significance between case and control groups for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARG), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), transferrin (TF) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) (P<0.05), and there was no statistical significance between case and control groups for TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1) and matrix metallopeptidase 1 (MMP1). PPARG, PTGS2, TF and IL-10 are key genes associated with the progression of RRTIs. We speculate that TIMP1 and MMP1 may also be involved in the progression of RRTIs, but further studies with large number of samples are needed for verification.