Bioinformatics analysis to reveal the potential comorbidity mechanism in psoriasis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Skin Res Technol. 2023 Sep;29(9):e13457. doi: 10.1111/srt.13457.

Abstract

Purpose: An increasing amount of evidence suggests that psoriasis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) may occur simultaneously, whereas the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Our research aims to explore the potential comorbidity mechanism in psoriasis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Materials and methods: The expression profiles of psoriasis (GSE30999, GSE13355) and NASH (GSE24807, GSE17470) were downloaded from GEO datasets. Next, common differently expressed genes (DEGs) of psoriasis and NASH were investigated. Then, GO and KEGG enrichment, protein interaction network (PPI) construction, and hub gene identification for DEGs were performed. Finally, immune cells expression, target genes predicted by common miRNAs, and transcription factors interaction analysis for hub genes were carried out.

Results: Twenty DEGs were identified in totally. GO analysis revealed response to the virus was the most enriched term, and hepatitis C and coronavirus disease-COVID-19 infection-associated pathways were mainly enriched in KEGG. A total of eight hub genes were collected, including IFIT1, IFIT3, OAS1, HPGDS, IFI27, IFI44, CXCL10, IRF9, and 11 TFs were predicted. Then, neutrophils and monocytes were identified as immune cells that express the most hub genes. Moreover, five common miRNAs for psoriasis and NASH and one common miRNAs (hsa-miR-1305)-mRNAs (CHL1, MBNL2) network were presented.

Conclusion: CHL1 and MBNL2 may participate in the process of psoriasis and NASH via regulating hsa-miR-1305, and together with eight hub genes may be potential therapeutic targets for future treatment for the co-occurrence of these two diseases. This comprehensive bioinformatic analysis provides new insights on molecular pathogenesis and identification of potential therapeutic targets for the co-occurrence of them.

Keywords: bioinformatics; differentially expressed genes; microRNAs (miRNAs); nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; psoriasis.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Comorbidity
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / epidemiology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / genetics
  • Psoriasis* / epidemiology
  • Psoriasis* / genetics

Substances

  • MicroRNAs