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Published on: January 7, 2019
Gene expression in multiple sclerosis during pregnancy based on integrated bioinformatics analysis
Martha Rocio Hernández-Preciado1, Blanca Miriam Torres-Mendoza2, Mario Alberto Mireles-Ramírez3
1High Specialty Medical Unit, Pediatric Hospital, Western National Medical Center of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico; Department of Philosophical and Methodological Disciplines, University Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico.
Pregnancy modulates Multiple Sclerosis (MS) activity, offering insights into disease mechanisms. This study identified 42 differentially expressed genes and key pathways in pregnant MS patients, revealing potential therapeutic targets for MS.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genomics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Pregnancy-induced modulation of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) offers a unique model to study disease mechanisms.
- Understanding these changes can provide insights into central nervous system disease processes and inform therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in pregnant women with MS using in-silico analysis.
- To perform biological function and pathway enrichment analysis on identified DEGs.
- To explore protein-protein interactions (PPI) among DEGs in pregnant MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptome data were analyzed from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, specifically microarray dataset GSE17449.
- Mononuclear cell data from healthy, healthy pregnant, women with MS, and pregnant women with MS were compared.
- Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), REACTOME, STRING, KEGG, and WIKIPATHWAYS databases were utilized for pathway and PPI analysis.
Main Results:
- Forty-two differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in pregnant women with MS.
- Significant pathways included IL-10 signaling, ErbB2 activation, hemoglobin complex, IL-17 signaling, antigen processing, Th17 cell differentiation, Rap1 signaling, NOD-Like receptor signaling, PD-L1 Signaling, Interferon gamma signaling, and Neutrophil degranulation.
- Additional pathways identified were Vitamin B12 metabolism and IL-18 signaling.
Conclusions:
- The identified target genes and pathways offer potential therapeutic avenues for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
- This in-silico study provides a foundation for further investigation into MS pathogenesis during pregnancy.
