Step-by-Step Construction of Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis for Identifying Novel Biomarkers of Sepsis Occurrence and Progression

Int J Gen Med. 2021 Sep 24:14:6047-6057. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S328076. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients. Although it is well known that the immune system plays a key role in sepsis, exactly how it works remains unknown.

Methods: In our study, we used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to screen out the immune-related genes that may play a critical role in the process of sepsis.

Results: A total of three sepsis-related hub genes were screened for further verification. Subsequent analysis of immune subtypes suggested their potential predictive effect in the clinic.

Conclusion: Our study shows that three immune-related genes CHMP1A, MED15 and MGAT1 are important biomarkers of sepsis. The screened genes may help to distinguish normal individuals from patients with different degrees of sepsis.

Keywords: biomarker; gene co-expression network; immune cell; sepsis.

Grants and funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82070669).