Impact of surgical interventions on postoperative cognitive dysfunction: A focus on gene expression in the...

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common surgical complication with unclear mechanisms. This study aimed to characterize hippocampal, cortical, and PBMC gene expression changes after surgery to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Male C57BL/6 mice underwent tibial fracture with intramedullary fixation. Behavioral tests (MWM, OFT, NOR) before and after surgery classified animals into control, surgery without POCD (G1), and surgery with POCD (G2) using Z-scores. Bulk RNA-seq was performed on hippocampus, cortex, and PBMCs, followed by network and pathway analyses. qRT-PCR validated hub genes, including RPL30 and RPS3A1. Functional assays involved hippocampal RPL30 knockdown in POCD mice with behavioral assessment. Hippocampal proteomics was performed and integrated with transcriptomic data to link gene expression with protein function and metabolic alterations.

The study identified DEGs involved in cortical protein export, nicotine metabolism, and mitophagy; hippocampal endocannabinoid and IL-17 signaling; and PBMC lysosomal and MAPK pathways. Twelve hub genes, including RPL30 and RPS3A1, were identified; qRT-PCR confirmed their upregulation in POCD. RPL30 knockdown improved cognition. Proteomics revealed 80 differentially expressed proteins, with pathways related to TORC1 signaling, histone modification, lysosomal regulation, and energy metabolism.

This study identified key genes, proteins, and molecular pathways associated with postoperative cognitive dysfunction, including RPL30, RPS3A1, and pathways related to TORC1 signaling, histone modification, lysosomal regulation, and energy metabolism. These findings provide novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for the early detection and intervention of POCD.