Identification and Experimental Verification of Key Genes Related to the Ras Signaling Pathway and the Hippo...

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease affecting cartilage, impacting quality of life.
• Ras and Hippo signaling pathways are crucial for cellular functions but their role in OA is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key genes within the Ras and Hippo signaling pathways implicated in Osteoarthritis (OA).
• To elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets for OA.

Main Methods:

• Utilized bioinformatic analysis of transcriptomic data from OA patients.
• Employed machine learning, gene expression validation, and ROC curve analysis to screen key genes.
• Conducted GSEA, immune infiltration analysis, and regulatory network construction for functional insights.

Main Results:

• Identified KIT and CSF1R as key genes involved in OA pathogenesis.
• KIT and CSF1R expression patterns were validated in clinical OA cartilage and chondrocyte samples.
• Discovered significant upregulation of CSF1R and downregulation of KIT in OA tissues.

Conclusions:

• KIT and CSF1R are identified as critical molecular players in Osteoarthritis.
• These findings provide novel theoretical perspectives for OA research.
• KIT and CSF1R represent potential targets for future OA therapeutic strategies.