Explore the shared molecular mechanism between dermatomyositis and nasopharyngeal cancer by bioinformatic analysis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Virology

Background:

• Dermatomyositis (DM) is associated with an increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
• The underlying mechanisms connecting DM and NPC remain unclear.
• This study investigates the shared pathogenesis between DM and NPC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key genes and pathways involved in the co-occurrence of DM and NPC.
• To explore the role of viral gene replication and interferon responses in DM-NPC pathogenesis.
• To discover potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for DM complicated by NPC.

Main Methods:

• Downloaded and analyzed multiple gene expression datasets (GSE46239, GSE142807, GSE12452, GSE53819) from the GEO database.
• Utilized Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify disease-related modules.
• Performed functional enrichment analysis (ClueGO), differential gene expression (limma), and constructed miRNA-mRNA networks.

Main Results:

• Identified key gene modules positively correlated with both DM and NPC, enriched in negative regulation of viral gene replication.
• Found overlapping down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in DM and NPC also enriched in viral gene replication regulation.
• Discovered 10 hub genes, primarily regulating viral processes and type I interferon responses, with four genes (GBP1, IFIH1, IFIT3, BST2) demonstrating strong diagnostic performance (AUC>0.8).
• Observed correlation between key gene expression and macrophage infiltration in both diseases.
• Identified hsa-miR-146a as a vital regulator in the DM-NPC miRNA-mRNA network.

Conclusions:

• Viral gene replication and type I interferon responses are crucial links between DM and NPC.
• Hub genes and hsa-miR-146a present novel strategies for diagnosing and treating DM patients with NPC.
• Individuals with persistent viral replication in DM should undergo screening for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.