Application of weighted gene co-expression network and immune infiltration for explorations of key genes in the brain of elderly COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Introduction: Although many studies have demonstrated the existing neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients, the mechanisms are not clear until now. This study aimed to figure out the critical molecular and immune infiltration situations in the brain of elderly COVID-19 patients.

Methods: GSE188847 was used for the differential analysis, WGCNA, and immune infiltration analysis. We also performed GO, KEGG, GSEA, and GSVA for the enrich analysis.

Results: 266 DEGs, obtained from the brain samples of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients whose ages were over 70 years old, were identified. GO and KEGG analysis revealed the enrichment in synapse and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction in COVID-19 patients. Further analysis found that asthma and immune system signal pathways were significant changes based on GSEA and GSVA. Immune infiltration analysis demonstrated the imbalance of CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, and HLA. The MEpurple module genes were the most significantly different relative to COVID-19. Finally, RPS29, S100A10, and TIMP1 were the critical genes attributed to the progress of brain damage.

Conclusion: RPS29, S100A10, and TIMP1 were the critical genes in the brain pathology of COVID-19 in elderly patients. Our research has revealed a new mechanism and a potential therapeutic target.

Keywords: COVID-19; RPS 29; S100A10; TIMP 1; brain damage; long COVID; lung-brain axis; sequelae.