BACKGROUND This study was aimed at screening out the potential key genes and pathways associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS The GSE70493 dataset used for this study was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the placental tissue of women with GDM in relation to the control tissue samples were identified and submitted to protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and subnetwork module mining. Functional enrichment analyses of the PPI network and subnetworks were subsequently carried out. Finally, the integrated miRNA-transcription factor (TF)-DEG regulatory network was analyzed. RESULTS In total, 238 DEGs were identified, of which 162 were upregulated and 76 were downregulated. Through PPI network construction, 108 nodes and 278 gene pairs were obtained, from which chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9), CXCL10, protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type C (PTPRC), and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) were screened out as hub genes. Moreover, genes associated with the immune-related pathway and immune responses were found to be significantly enriched in the process of GDM. Finally, miRNAs and TFs that target the DEGs were predicted. CONCLUSIONS Four candidate genes (viz., CXCL9, CXCL10, PTPRC, and HLA) are closely related to GDM. miR-223-3p, miR-520, and thioredoxin-binding protein may play important roles in the pathogenesis of this disease.

中文翻译：

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妊娠糖尿病患者胎盘组织中的关键基因及其功能分析。

背景技术本研究旨在筛选与妊娠糖尿病（GDM）相关的潜在关键基因和途径。方法用于本研究的GSE70493数据集是从Gene Expression Omnibus数据库获得的。相对于对照组织样品，在患有GDM的女性的胎盘组织中的差异表达基因（DEG）被鉴定出来，并进行蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用（PPI）网络分析和子网络模块挖掘。随后对PPI网络和子网进行了功能丰富的分析。最后，分析了整合的miRNA转录因子（TF）-DEG调控网络。结果总共鉴定出238个DEG，其中上调162个，下调76个。通过PPI网络的构建，获得了108个节点和278个基因对，从中筛选出趋化因子（CXC基序）配体9（CXCL9），CXCL10，蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶，C型受体（PTPRC）和人白细胞抗原（HLA）作为中枢基因。此外，发现与免疫相关途径和免疫反应相关的基因在GDM的过程中显着丰富。最后，预测了靶向DEG的miRNA和TF。结论四个候选基因（即CXCL9，CXCL10，PTPRC和HLA）与GDM密切相关。miR-223-3p，miR-520和硫氧还蛋白结合蛋白可能在这种疾病的发病机理中起重要作用。发现与免疫相关途径和免疫反应相关的基因在GDM过程中显着丰富。最后，预测了靶向DEG的miRNA和TF。结论四个候选基因（即CXCL9，CXCL10，PTPRC和HLA）与GDM密切相关。miR-223-3p，miR-520和硫氧还蛋白结合蛋白可能在这种疾病的发病机理中起重要作用。发现与免疫相关途径和免疫反应相关的基因在GDM过程中显着丰富。最后，预测了靶向DEG的miRNA和TF。结论四个候选基因（即CXCL9，CXCL10，PTPRC和HLA）与GDM密切相关。miR-223-3p，miR-520和硫氧还蛋白结合蛋白可能在这种疾病的发病机理中起重要作用。