[Identification of differentially expressed genes and pathways changing in neutrophils of patients with sepsis by...

Objective To identify key pathogenic differentially expressed genes and pathways in neutrophils of patients with sepsis. Methods Firstly, we screened and downloaded a total of 143 experimental and 65 control neutrophil samples from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) gene expression profile datasets GSE6535, GSE49755, GSE49756, GSE49757. Secondly, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) via corresponding packages in R software. Finally, through intersecting DEGs from every two datasets of those four GEO datasets, we had got 93 DEGs as candidate DEGs, and subsequently conducted gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis, PPI network analysis and hub gene analysis, using multiple methods containing DAVID, STRING, Cytoscape Apps such as ReactomeFIPlugIn and Cytohubba. Results We had identified most significant hub DEGs, including TLR2, SRC, MMP9, IL1R2, ARRB1, IRAK3, IL18R1, IL18RAP, and STK17B. Besides, we found that some pathogenicity-related pathways and immune-related biological processes were involved in sepsis. The hub genes found by this study might cause sepsis through a variety of signaling pathways and be implicate in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Conclusion These genes may cause the onset and development of sepsis through a variety of signaling pathways.