Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Hub Genes Linked to Programmed Cell Death in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a chronic condition marked by programmed cell death (PCD) pathways.
• Identifying genes linked to cell death in IVDD is vital for diagnostics and prognostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key genes and pathways associated with cell death in IVDD.
• To develop a prognostic model for IVDD based on cell death biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptomic data from normal and IVDD specimens were analyzed.
• Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were employed.
• A prognostic model was constructed using LASSO regression and identified gene targets.

Main Results:

• Specific PCD pathways, including apoptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy, were upregulated in IVDD.
• Immune profiling showed increased M0 macrophages in IVDD tissues.
• YWHAB, BID, and GSDME were identified as key genes in IVDD pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

• A novel framework integrating IVDD and PCD mechanisms was established.
• YWHAB, BID, and GSDME show promise as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for IVDD.