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Horm Metab Res 2023; 55(08): 546-554
DOI: 10.1055/a-2081-1098
Original Article: Endocrine Care

Identification of Basement Membrane Genes and Related Molecular Subtypes in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Zhaoxiang Wang  ‡
1   Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
,
Huijuan Qin‡
1   Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
,
Qichao Yang
2   Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu University Affiliated Wujin Hospital, Changzhou, China
,
Jue Jia
1   Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
,
Ling Yang
1   Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
,
Shao Zhong
3   Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, China
,
Guoyue Yuan
1   Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
› Author Affiliations Funding Information Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province — http://dx.doi. org/10.13039/501100004608; BK20191222; Jiangsu Province Sixth Phase “333 Talents” — ; National Natural Science Foundation of China — http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001809; 81570721; Youth Medical Talent Project of Jiangsu Province — QNRC2016842; Suzhou Science and Technology Planning Project — STL2021006; Social Development Project of Jiangsu Province — BE2018692
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Abstract

Basement membranes (BMs) are widely distributed and highly specialized extracellular matrix (ECM). The goal of this study was to explore novel genes associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) from the perspective of BMs. Sequencing results of 304 liver biopsy samples about NAFLD were systematically obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Biological changes during NAFLD progression and hub BM-associated genes were investigated by differential gene analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), respectively. The nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) subgroups were identified based on hub BM-associated genes expression, as well as the differences in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathways and immune microenvironment between different subgroups were compared. Extracellular matrix (ECM) seems to play an important role in the development of NAFLD. Three representative BM-associated genes (ADAMTS2, COL5A1, and LAMC3) were finally identified. Subgroup analysis results suggested that there were significant changes in KEGG signaling pathways related to metabolism, extracellular matrix, cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. There were also changes in macrophage polarization, neutrophils, and dendritic cells abundance, and so on. In conclusion, the present study identified novel potential BM-associated biomarkers and further explored the heterogeneity of NASH that might provide new insights into the diagnosis, assessment, management, and personalized treatment of NAFLD.

Key words

NAFLD - basement membrane - WGCNA - differential gene analysis


Publication History

Received: 05 February 2023

Accepted after revision: 17 April 2023

Article published online:
02 June 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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