Identifying and analyzing the key genes shared by papillary thyroid carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis using bioinformatics methods

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 May 31:14:1140094. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1140094. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Background: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is a chronic autoimmune disease that poses a risk factor for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The present study aimed to identify the key genes shared by HT and PTC for advancing the current understanding of their shared pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms.

Methods: HT- and PTC-related datasets (GSE138198 and GSE33630, respectively) were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Genes significantly related to the PTC phenotype were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between PTC and healthy samples from GSE33630, and between HT and normal samples from GSE138198. Subsequently, functional enrichment analysis was performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Transcription factors and miRNAs regulating the common genes in PTC and HT were forecasted using the Harmonizome and miRWalk databases, respectively, and drugs targeting these genes were investigated using the Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb). The key genes in both GSE138198 and GSE33630 were further identified via Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. The expression of key genes was verified in external validation set and clinical samples using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results: In total, 690 and 1945 DEGs were associated with PTC and HT, respectively; of these, 56 were shared and exhibited excellent predictive accuracy in the GSE138198 and GSE33630 cohorts. Notably, four genes, Alcohol Dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B), Active BCR-related (ABR), alpha-1 antitrypsin (SERPINA1), and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 (LPAR5) were recognized as key genes shared by HT and PTC. Subsequently, EGR1 was identified as a common transcription factor regulating ABR, SERPINA1, and LPAR5 expression. These findings were confirmed using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis.

Conclusion: Four (ADH1B, ABR, SERPINA1, and LPAR5) out of 56 common genes exhibited diagnostic potential in HT and PTC. Notably, this study, for the first time, defined the close relationship between ABR and HT/PTC progression. Overall, this study provides a basis for understanding the shared pathogenesis and underlying molecular mechanisms of HT and PTC, which might help improve patient diagnosis and prognosis.

Keywords: ABR; Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; LPAR5; SERPINA1; key genes; papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computational Biology
  • Hashimoto Disease* / complications
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid
  • Thyroid Cancer, Papillary / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • LPAR5 protein, human
  • Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid

Grants and funding

General Project of Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province; Award Number: 222300420568; Recipient, DY. Key Medical Science and Technology Project of Henan Province; Award Number: SBGJ202101014; Recipient, DY. Major Scientific Research Projects of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Henan Province; Award Number: 20-21ZYZD14; Recipient, DY. Cultivation of Young and Middle-aged Health Science and Technology Innovation Leading Talents in Henan Province; Award Number: YXKC2020015; Recipient, DY. Key University Science Research Project of Henan Province, Department of Education of Henan Province, Award Number: 23A320016; Recipient, NW.