Identification of neuropathic pain-associated genes and pathways via random walk with restart algorithm

Neuropathic pain (NP) develops from neuropathic lesions or diseases affecting the nervous system and has become a serious public health issue due to its complex symptoms, high incidence and long duration. At present, the exact pathogenesis of NP is still unclear. In this study, we sought to identify the genes as well as the related molecular mechanisms associated with NP occurrence and development.

We firstly identified the differentially expressed genes between NP spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rats and control sham rats and then projected them onto a STRING network for functional association analysis. Then, random walk with restart (RWR) was conducted to find some new NP-related genes, with their potential functions sequentially analyzed by GO annotation and KEGG pathway analysis.

Some new NP-related genes, like Gng13, C3 and Cxcl2, were identified by RWR analysis. Meanwhile, some biological functions like inflammatory responses, chemotaxis and immune responses, as well as some signaling pathways, such as those involved in neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, complement and blood coagulation cascade reactions, and cytokine-receptor interactions that the new NP-related genes were most activated were found to be associated with NP occurrence and development.

This study extends our knowledge of NP occurrence and development and provides new therapeutic targets for future NP treatment.