Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025
Investigating Target Gene Function in a CD40 Agonistic Antibody-induced Colitis Model using CRISPR/Cas9-based Technologies
Published on: June 2, 2021
Based on Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis Reveals the Hub Immune Infiltration-Related Genes Associated
Zongbiao Tan1, Chuan Liu1, Pengzhan He1
1Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
Immune infiltration plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of mucosal damage in ulcerative colitis (UC). The objective of this study was to systematically analyze and identify genetic characteristics associated with immune infiltration in UC.
Patients And Methods:
Gene expression data from three independent datasets obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were utilized. By employing the ssGSEA and CIBERSORT algorithms, we estimated the extent of immune cell infiltration in UC samples. Subsequently, Weighted Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify gene modules exhibiting significant associations with immune infiltration, and further identification of hub genes associated with immune infiltration was accomplished using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. The relationship between the identified hub genes and clinical information was subsequently investigated.
Results:
Our findings revealed significant activation of both innate and adaptive immune cells in UC. Notably, the expression levels of CD44, IL1B, LYN, and ITGA5 displayed strong correlations with immune cell infiltration within the mucosa of UC patients. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the significant upregulation of CD44, LYN, and ITGA5 in UC samples, and their expression levels were found to be significantly associated with common inflammatory markers, including the systemic immune inflammation indices, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Conclusion:
CD44, LYN, and ITGA5 are involved in the immune infiltration pathogenesis of UC and may be potential therapeutic targets for UC.
Related Concept Videos
02:54Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...