Bioinformatics Analysis and Identification of Underlying Biomarkers Potentially Linking Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Respiratory Medicine
• Genomics and Bioinformatics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Rhinitis, a common allergic condition affecting over 400 million globally, is linked to increased risk of asthma.
• Existing research indicates a close relationship between rhinitis and the physiology, pathology, and pathogenesis of asthma.
• Understanding these connections is crucial for identifying shared disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the relationship between rhinitis and asthma by analyzing co-expressed genes.
• To identify potential biomarkers for the comorbidity of rhinitis and asthma.
• To elucidate the molecular underpinnings of shared pathways in these conditions.

Main Methods:

• Differential gene expression analysis of asthma and rhinitis datasets (GSE104468, GSE46171) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.
• Gene Ontology (GO) term and pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
• Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction and co-expressed DEG analysis, including predicted microRNAs (miRNAs).

Main Results:

• Identified 687 and 1001 DEGs in bronchial and nasal epithelia of asthma patients, respectively; 245 DEGs were found in rhinitis patients.
• Key hub genes associated with rhinitis (PAX6, NMU, NTS, NMUR1, PMCH, KRT6A) and asthma (CPA3, CTSG, POSTN, CLCA1, HDC, MUC5B) were identified.
• Co-expressed DEGs (BPIFA1, CCL26, CPA3, CST1) and specific miRNAs (miR-195-5p, miR-125a-3p) showed significant correlation with both rhinitis and asthma.

Conclusions:

• Rhinitis and asthma share significant biological relationships.
• Genes BPIFA1, CCL26, CPA3, and CST1 are strongly correlated and represent novel biomarkers for rhinitis and asthma comorbidity.
• Further research into these shared genetic factors can advance understanding and treatment of comorbid allergic respiratory diseases.