Identification of potential biomarkers and immune infiltration characteristics in recurrent implantation failure using bioinformatics analysis

Front Immunol. 2023 Jan 26:14:992765. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.992765. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a frustrating challenge because the cause is unknown. The current study aims to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the endometrium on the basis of immune cell infiltration characteristics between RIF patients and healthy controls, as well as to investigate potential prognostic markers in RIF.

Methods: GSE103465, and GSE111974 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were obtained to screen DEGs between RIF and control groups. Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and Protein-protein interactions analysis were performed to investigate potential biological functions and signaling pathways. CIBERSORT was used to describe the level of immune infiltration in RIF, and flow cytometry was used to confirm the top two most abundant immune cells detected.

Results: 122 downregulated and 66 upregulated DEGs were obtained between RIF and control groups. Six immune-related hub genes were discovered, which were involved in Wnt/-catenin signaling and Notch signaling as a result of our research. The ROC curves revealed that three of the six identified genes (AKT1, PSMB8, and PSMD10) had potential diagnostic values for RIF. Finally, we used cMap analysis to identify potential therapeutic or induced compounds for RIF, among which fulvestrant (estrogen receptor antagonist), bisindolylmaleimide-ix (CDK and PKC inhibitor), and JNK-9L (JNK inhibitor) were thought to influence the pathogenic process of RIF. Furthermore, our findings revealed the level of immune infiltration in RIF by highlighting three signaling pathways (Wnt/-catenin signaling, Notch signaling, and immune response) and three potential diagnostic DEGs (AKT1, PSMB8, and PSMD10).

Conclusion: Importantly, our findings may contribute to the scientific basis for several potential therapeutic agents to improve endometrial receptivity.

Keywords: Wnt/β-catenin signaling; bioinformatics; biomarkers; immune infiltration; notch signaling; recurrent implantation failure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Catenins
  • Computational Biology
  • Embryo Implantation*
  • Endometrium
  • Female
  • Genes, Regulator*
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Catenins
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • PSMD10 protein, human

Grants and funding

We are grateful to Dr. Gene Chi Wai Man from Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong for helping edit the manuscript and response latter. This study was supported by the Major Research Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (No. 92057119, 31970798), the Program for Zhuoxue of Fudan University (JIF157602), the Support Project for Original Personalized Research of Fudan University (IDF157014/002).