Differentially expressed genes between systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are distinct autoimmune diseases with overlapping symptoms.
• Genetic differences between SSc and RA are not well-defined, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between SSc and RA patients.
• To elucidate the genetic underpinnings of the distinct molecular pathogenesis of SSc and RA.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Gene Expression Omnibus database to find DEGs between SSc and RA biopsies.
• Performed functional annotation using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways via DAVID tools.
• Constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using Cytoscape and evaluated gene modules with MCODE.

Main Results:

• Identified 13,556 DEGs between SSc and RA, with 13,465 up-regulated and 91 down-regulated.
• Enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways were associated with extracellular involvement and immune activity.
• Key genes including IL6, EGF, JUN, and CXCL13 were identified in the PPI network and modules.

Conclusions:

• Identified specific genes (e.g., IL6, EGF, JUN, CXCL13) as potential targets for SSc and RA research.
• These genes may serve as biomarkers for differential diagnosis.
• These genes represent potential therapeutic targets for SSc and RA treatment.