Objective. Elderly patients are prone to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which may cause anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders and reduce quality of life. As a result, the life quality of patients was seriously reduced. However, the pathogenesis of PHN has not been fully elucidated, and current treatments remain inadequate. Therefore, it is important to explore the molecular mechanism of PHN. Methods. We analyzed the GSE64345 dataset, which includes gene expression from the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of PHN model rats. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and analyzed by Gene Ontology. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. The miRNA associated with neuropathic pain and inflammation was found in miRNet. Hub genes were identified and analyzed in Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). miRNA-mRNA networks associated with PHN were constructed. Results. A total of 116 genes were up-regulated in the DRG of PHN rats, and 135 genes were down-regulated. Functional analysis revealed that variations were predominantly enriched for genes involved in neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, and calcium channel activity. Eleven and thirty-one miRNAs associated with neuropathic pain and inflammation, respectively, were found. Eight hub genes (S1PR1, OPRM1, PDYN, CXCL3, S1PR5, TBX5, TNNI3, MYL7, PTGDR2, and FBXW2) associated with PHN were identified. Conclusions. Bioinformatics analysis is a useful tool to explore the mechanism and pathogenesis of PHN. The identified hub genes may participate in the onset and development of PHN and serve as therapeutic targets.

中文翻译：

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疱疹后神经痛的基因和机制的生物信息学分析

目标。老年患者容易出现带状疱疹后神经痛（PHN），可能引起焦虑，抑郁和睡眠障碍，并降低生活质量。结果，严重降低了患者的生活质量。但是，PHN的发病机理尚未完全阐明，目前的治疗方法仍不充分。因此，探讨PHN的分子机制很重要。方法。我们分析了GSE64345数据集，其中包括来自PHN模型大鼠同侧背根神经节（DRG）的基因表达。通过基因本体论鉴定并分析了差异表达基因（DEG）。构建了蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用（PPI）网络。在miRNet中发现了与神经性疼痛和炎症相关的miRNA。在比较毒理基因组数据库（CTD）中识别并分析了Hub基因。构建了与PHN相关的miRNA-mRNA网络。结果。在PHN大鼠的DRG中共有116个基因被上调，而135个基因被下调。功能分析表明，变异主要集中在与神经活性配体-受体相互作用，Jak-STAT信号通路和钙通道活性有关的基因上。发现了分别与神经性疼痛和炎症相关的11和31个miRNA。鉴定了八个与PHN相关的中枢基因（S1PR1，OPRM1，PDYN，CXCL3，S1PR5，TBX5，TNNI3，MYL7，PTGDR2和FBXW2）。结论。生物信息学分析是探索PHN的机制和发病机制的有用工具。鉴定出的中枢基因可能参与PHN的发生和发展，并作为治疗靶点。