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Quality-Controlled Sputum Analysis by Flow Cytometry
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Different Biological Pathways Are Up-regulated in the Elderly With Asthma: Sputum Transcriptomic Analysis
Byung Keun Kim1, Hyun Seung Lee2,3, Kyoung Hee Sohn4
1Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Medical Center Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
|November 28, 2018
Summary
Elderly asthma involves distinct gene expression patterns, suggesting two different underlying causes. Identifying these pathways is crucial for understanding and treating this growing respiratory condition.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Pulmonology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Elderly asthma (EA) prevalence is rising, yet its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.
- Genome-wide gene expression analysis in sputum cells offers a novel approach to investigate EA pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify biological pathways associated with elderly asthma.
- To analyze genome-wide gene expression profiles in sputum cells of elderly asthma patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hierarchical clustering on 3,156 differentially expressed gene probes from elderly asthma patients and healthy controls.
- Performed gene set enrichment analysis to determine biological functions.
- Validated findings using replication data from Gene Expression Omnibus.
Main Results:
- Identified two distinct gene clusters in elderly asthma patients.
- Cluster 1 (n=35) exhibited lower sputum eosinophils and less airway obstruction than Cluster 2 (n=20).
- Confirmed enrichment of the OXIDATIVE_PHOSPHORYLATION pathway in Cluster 1 and EPITHELIAL MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION in Cluster 2' using replication data.
Conclusions:
- Two distinct gene clusters with different biological pathways suggest varied pathogenesis mechanisms in elderly asthma.
- These findings provide insights into the molecular basis of elderly asthma, potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies.
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