2025/07/15 by Asma Vafadar, Shayan Khalili Alashti, Saeed Khazayel +5 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Asthma and respiratory diseases #Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions #MicroRNA in disease regulation
paper · pdf · doi:10.1186/s12967-025-06646-5
openalex publication_date 2025/07/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by variable degrees of inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. The current study used a bioinformatic meta-analysis to identify key target genes and miRNA biomarkers for early diagnostics, thereby suggesting possible therapeutic targets that could impact the management and treatment of asthma sufferers. This study used microarray bioinformatic analysis to discover potential asthma biomarkers by analyzing four microarray datasets of asthma patients and normal groups, namely GSE64913, GSE41863, GSE41862, and GSE165934. Additionally, pathway analysis, gene ontology (GO), and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were performed to investigate crucial pathways related to possible biological processes. A meta-analysis of the datasets to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their hub genes, with their targeting microRNAs, was implemented using bioinformatics tools. In this regard, the genes CD44, KRT6A, FOSL1, PTGS2, JUN, CXCL8, IL1B, and DUSP1 were identified as the hub genes while considering the results of the present study. GO analysis of the DEGs revealed significant enrichment of genes involved in antigen presentation and recognition by T cells, along with pathways related to inflammation and metabolism. Finally, hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-miR-27a-3p, hsa-miR-34a-5p, hsa-miR-92a-3p, hsa-miR-18a-5p, hsa-mir-155-5p, hsa-mir-129-2-3p, hsa-miR-101-3p, hsa-miR-191-5p, and hsa-miR-185-5p presented considerable associations with most hub genes. These genetic factors may serve as valuable biomarkers for understanding the etiology and progression of asthma. A comprehensive meta-analysis of microarray datasets identified consistent gene expression patterns associated with asthma pathogenesis. Key hub genes such as IL6, STAT1, and CXCL10, and regulatory miRNAs such as miR-155 and miR-146a, were identified and validated using independent external datasets. Functional enrichment analyses demonstrated that immune response pathways, particularly cytokine signaling, are centrally involved in asthma pathogenesis. Integration of miRNA and mRNA expression data revealed potential regulatory interactions that may contribute to airway inflammation and structural remodeling in asthma. The findings provide a robust panel of candidate biomarkers and molecular targets that may inform future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for asthma.