Proteomic Analyses Reveal Functional Pathways and Potential Targets in Pediatric Hydrocephalus
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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
A High Throughput, Multiplexed and Targeted Proteomic CSF Assay to Quantify Neurodegenerative Biomarkers and Apolipoprotein E Isoforms Status
Published on: October 20, 2016
Yiwen Ju1, Zhenling Wan2, Qin Zhang3
1Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research of Hainan Province, International School of Public Health and One Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
Insights
This study identified potential protein biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosing pediatric hydrocephalus and arachnoid cysts. Proteomic analysis also revealed molecular pathways and potential therapeutic drugs for hydrocephalus.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Proteomics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hydrocephalus is a common pediatric disorder characterized by abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation and ventricular expansion.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying hydrocephalus remain largely unknown, hindering effective diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of hydrocephalus using proteomic analysis of CSF.
- To identify potential protein biomarkers for hydrocephalus and arachnoid cyst diagnosis.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets and drugs for hydrocephalus.
Main Methods:
- Proteomic analysis of CSF from hydrocephalus and arachnoid cyst patients using label-free Mass Spectrometry.
- Differential expression analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs).
- Gene Ontology (GO), Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis.
Main Results:
- Identified 148 up-regulated and 82 down-regulated proteins as potential diagnostic biomarkers.
- DEPs were significantly enriched in cancer hallmark and immune-related pathways.
- Network analysis indicated DEPs play crucial roles in the human PPI network, and potential therapeutic drugs were identified.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive proteomic analysis provides valuable insights into hydrocephalus molecular pathways.
- Identified potential biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and therapeutic targets for hydrocephalus.
Introduction:
Hydrocephalus is a common pediatric disorder of cerebral spinal fluid physiology resulting in abnormal expansion of the cerebral ventricles. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown.
Methods:
We performed proteomic analyses of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 7 congenital hydrocephalus and 5 arachnoid cyst patients who underwent surgical treatment. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified by label-free Mass Spectrometry followed by differential expression analysis. The GO and GSEA enrichment analysis was performed to explore the cancer hallmark pathways and immune-related pathways affected by DEPs. Then, network analysis was applied to reveal the location of DEPs in the human protein-protein interactions (PPIs) network. Potential drugs for hydrocephalus were identified based on drug-target interaction.
Results:
We identified 148 up-regulated proteins and 82 down-regulated proteins, which are potential biomarkers for clinical diagnosis of hydrocephalus and arachnoid cyst. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the DEPs were significantly enriched in the cancer hallmark pathways and immunerelated pathways. In addition, network analysis uncovered that DEPs were more likely to be located in the central regions of the human PPIs network, suggesting DEPs may be proteins that play important roles in human PPIs. Finally, we calculated the overlap of drug targets and the DEPs based on drugtarget interaction to identify the potential therapeutic drugs of hydrocephalus.
Conclusion:
The comprehensive proteomic analyses provided valuable resources for investigating the molecular pathways in hydrocephalus, and uncovered potential biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and therapy.
