Exploring the pathogenesis linking primary aldosteronism and obstructive sleep apnea via bioinformatic analysis

Area of Science:

• Genomics and Molecular Biology
• Cardiovascular Disease Research
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Primary aldosteronism (PA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are independent hypertension risk factors, increasing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• A bidirectional relationship exists between OSA and PA, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
• Understanding shared pathways is crucial for managing hypertension and associated CVDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate shared genetic characteristics between PA and OSA.
• To identify potential molecular mechanisms linking these two conditions.
• To discover novel biomarkers for PA and OSA.

Main Methods:

• Acquired gene expression datasets for aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and OSA from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.
• Utilized Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify common genes and modules.
• Performed functional enrichment analysis, Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis, and cross-database verification to identify hub genes.

Main Results:

• Identified 52 common genes between APA and OSA using WGCNA.
• Functional enrichment revealed involvement in interleukin-1 response, cytokine activity, and chemokine receptor binding.
• Five key hub genes (IL6, ATF3, PTGS2, CCL2, CXCL2) were identified, highlighting roles in inflammation, stress, and immune function.

Conclusions:

• PA and OSA share common genetic underpinnings related to inflammation and immune responses.
• The identified hub genes (IL6, ATF3, PTGS2, CCL2, CXCL2) represent potential biomarkers for PA and OSA diagnosis and prognosis.
• This research provides insights into the molecular links between PA and OSA, aiding in cardiovascular risk management.