Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2025
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
Published on: May 2, 2025
Bioinformatics analysis and validation of novel biomarkers and competitive endogenous RNA networks involved in
Siyu Wu1,2, Lan Yao3, Wenxiang Zhang1
1College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumuqi, 830017, China.
Abstract:
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus. Pyroptosis is a type of programmed cell death that is closely related to the development of DN, however the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis in the development of DN is still unclear. The aim of this study is to identify pyroptosis-related potential biomarkers and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in DN. The differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes (DEPRGs) were identified using R software from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In total, 4 significantly upregulated hub DEPRGs (CASP1, TXNIP, IRF9, and TRAF3) were selected and verified by machine learning techniques. Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) to assess the diagnostic value of pivotal DEPRGs. Immune infiltration was analysed using the CIBERSORT algorithm in R software. Then, differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) were obtained from the GEO database, respectively. The hub DEPRGs-associated ceRNA network was constructed. Finally, DN rats were induced by high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with an intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The expression of pyroptosis-related proteins and 4 hub DEPRGs were detected in rats' kidney tissues using Western blotting. The DN pyroptosis-related ceRNA networks constructed by hub genes were validated both in clinical samples and DN rat model using real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Our results indicated that the ceRNA network consisting of key genes might be a potential regulatory axis for pyroptosis in DN.
Insights
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) involves pyroptosis, a cell death process. This study identifies key pyroptosis genes and a competing RNA network, offering potential biomarkers for DN diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus.
- Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is implicated in DN pathogenesis, but its molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers and regulatory networks is crucial for understanding and managing DN.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify pyroptosis-related biomarkers for diabetic nephropathy (DN).
- To elucidate the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks involved in pyroptosis during DN development.
- To validate potential diagnostic and regulatory targets in both clinical and animal models.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets to identify differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes (DEPRGs).
- Machine learning and Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analysis for biomarker validation.
- Construction and validation of a ceRNA network using differentially expressed miRNAs and lncRNAs.
- Experimental validation in a diabetic nephropathy rat model using Western blotting and qRT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Four significantly upregulated hub DEPRGs (CASP1, TXNIP, IRF9, TRAF3) were identified and validated.
- A pyroptosis-associated ceRNA network was constructed, highlighting potential regulatory axes in DN.
- Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant alterations in the DN kidney microenvironment.
- The identified ceRNA network was validated in both clinical samples and a rat model, confirming its relevance to DN.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully identified key pyroptosis-related genes and a novel ceRNA network as potential biomarkers for diabetic nephropathy.
- The findings suggest that this ceRNA network plays a critical role in regulating pyroptosis in DN.
- These results provide a foundation for developing targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for DN.
More Related Videos
08:15Author Spotlight: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Decipher the Action of Jiawei Shengjiang San Against Diabetic Kidney Disease
Published on: May 10, 2024
07:11A Quantitative Detection Method for MicroRNAs in the Kidney of an Ischemic Kidney Injury Mouse Model
Published on: September 11, 2020
