“
“We aimed in this study to
identify the significant latent pathways and precise molecular mechanisms underlying the syndrome of vasculitis. Agilent dual-channel data of peripheral selleck kinase inhibitor blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy controls and vasculitis patients were downloaded from EBI Array Express database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and vasculitis PBMCs samples were selected. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were carried out to identify significant biological processes and pathways. DEGs were matched to NetBox software database to obtain LINKER genes with statistical significance. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed with LINKER genes and DEGs according to STRING database. Latent pathway identification analysis (LPIA) buy IWR-1 was used to identify the most significant interactions among different pathways involved by DEGs. A total of 266 DEGs were selected. GO and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the up-regulated genes were significantly enriched in
defense and wounding response; the down-regulated genes were enriched in immune response. The modules analysis of PPI network suggested that ISG15 and IFIT3 were the potential biomarkers for vasculitis. The results of LPIA showed that NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and shigellosis related pathway were the two most significant latent pathway interactions for vasculitis. ISG15 and IFIT3 were the potential biomarkers for vasculitis identification. NOD-like receptor signaling Ketotifen pathway and shigellosis related pathway were the most significant latent pathway interactions for vasculitis. Moreover, LPIA was a useful method for revealing systemic biological pathways and cellular mechanisms of diseases. “
“T cell abnormalities with a focus on Th17 cells have been associated with the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17,
IL-21 and IL-23 in SSc patients and to assess their relationship with ILD-SSc. Thirty-eight patients with SSc and 39 healthy controls were recruited. Serum IL-17, IL-21 and IL-23 levels were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lung involvement of SSc patients was assessed functionally (diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide [DLCO], body plethysmography) and radiologically (using average disease extent on high resolution computed tomography [HRCT] of the lungs according to the percentage of interstitial changes and quantified with a 30-point Warrick score) in 29 SSc patients. Serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels were significantly decreased and IL-21 levels were elevated in SSc patients when compared with controls (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.01, respectively).