Identification of immunological bioprocesses involved in peri-implantitis using weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Liang-Wen Chen; Su-Han Jin; Qian Lu; Jian-Guo Zhou; Jian-Guo Liu; Xiao-Yan Guan; Hai-Bin Xia; Hong He

doi:10.1002/JPER.22-0405

Identification of immunological bioprocesses involved in peri-implantitis using weighted gene co-expression network analysis

J Periodontol. 2023 Sep;94(9):1078-1089. doi: 10.1002/JPER.22-0405. Epub 2023 Apr 30.

Authors

Liang-Wen Chen¹, Su-Han Jin^{2

3}, Qian Lu¹, Jian-Guo Zhou⁴, Jian-Guo Liu⁵, Xiao-Yan Guan³, Hai-Bin Xia¹, Hong He²

Affiliations

¹ Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM, Department of Oral Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
² Department of Orthodontics, Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBM, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
³ Department of Orthodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
⁴ Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
⁵ School of Stomatology, Special Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research, Higher Education Institution, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.

PMID: 37032448
DOI: 10.1002/JPER.22-0405

Abstract

Background: Peri-implantitis is an irreversible infectious disease that occurs with high incidence. Exploring the immune responses of peri-implantitis is key to developing targeted treatment strategies. However, there is limited research on the immune response of peri-implantitis.

Methods: This study performed a weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify the peri-implantitis related gene network and conducted a functional enrichment analysis of the gene network. Thereafter, the candidate hub genes were selected by constructing a protein-protein interaction network and drawing an upset plot. The hub genes were identified through their significant associations with disease condition and validated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Using the gene set variation analysis, the hub genes were further used to explore infiltrating immunocytes and immune factors in peri-implantitis. Finally, the immunocytes and immune factor related hub genes were intersected to obtain the therapeutic target, which was validated using histological staining.

Results: The peri-implantitis related gene network was enriched in innate and adaptive immune response. Subsequently, interleukin (IL)1B, IL10, ITGAM, ITGB1, STAT3, and TLR4 were identified as hub genes. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells, macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, natural killer T cells, and immature B cells were positively and significantly related to the hub genes IL1B, TLR4, ITGAM, and ITGB1 (correlation coefficient > 0.80). While immune factors CXCL10, IL6, and CXCL12 and hub genes IL10 and IL1B held the highest degree in the immune factors network. IL1B may be a promising therapeutic target.

Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the hub genes, immunocytes, and immune factors underlying peri-implantitis immunological bioprocess.

Keywords: immune factors; immunocyte infiltration; immunological bioprocess; peri-implantitis; weighted gene co-expression network analysis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Gene Regulatory Networks
Humans
Interleukin-10
Macrophages
Peri-Implantitis* / genetics
Toll-Like Receptor 4

Substances

Toll-Like Receptor 4
Interleukin-10