Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis
Online ISSN : 1880-3873
Print ISSN : 1340-3478
ISSN-L : 1340-3478

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IGFBP6 Is Downregulated in Unstable Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques According to an Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Verification
Yandong LiuWei HuanJianjin WuSili ZouLefeng Qu
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JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS Advance online publication

Article ID: 52993

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Abstract

Aims: To investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and molecular interaction in unstable atherosclerotic carotid plaques.

Methods: Gene expression datasets GSE41571, GSE118481, and E-MTAB-2055 were analyzed. Co-regulated DEGs in at least two datasets were analyzed with the enrichment of Gene Ontology Biological Process (GO-BP), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, interrelationships between miRNAs/transcriptional factors, and their target genes and drug–gene interactions. The expression of notable DEGs in human carotid artery plaques and plasma was further identified.

Results: The GO-BP enrichment analysis revealed that genes associated with inflammatory response, and extracellular matrix organization were altered. The KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that upregulated DEGs were enriched in the tuberculous, lysosomal, and chemokine signaling pathways, whereas downregulated genes were enriched in the focal adhesion and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A2), adenylate cyclase 3 (ADCY3), C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), and TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein (TYROBP) might play crucial roles in the PPI networks. In drug–gene interactions, colonystimulating factor-1 receptor had the most drug interactions. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP6) was markedly downregulated in unstable human carotid plaques and plasma. Under a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, plasma IGFBP6 had a significant discriminatory power (AUC, 0.894; 95% CI, 0.810–0.977), with a cutoff value of 142.08 ng/mL.

Conclusions: The genes COL1A2, ADCY3, CXCR4, and TYROBP are promising targets for the prevention of unstable carotid plaque formation. IGFBP6 may be an important biomarker for predicting vulnerable plaques.

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この記事はクリエイティブ・コモンズ [表示 - 非営利 - 継承 4.0 国際]ライセンスの下に提供されています。
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.ja
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