Differentially Expressed Genes Of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Based On Bioinformatics Analyses

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify differentially expressed genes of papillary thyroid carcinoma using bioinformatics analysis,and to further make a better understanding of its underlying molecular mechanisms and find new potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic target genes.Materials and MethodsIn this study,genome-wide comparative analysis of mRNA expression profiles was performed in PTC gene cohorts,which included GSE33630,GSE3678 and GSE60542 from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.After preprocessing the data with R language,differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were screened out.The GO(Gene Ontology)functional enrichment analysis,KEGG(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes)pathway analysis and protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis of DEGs were performed to identify hub genes.Then,the expression of hub genes was verified in human tissues,The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)project cohort and The Human Protein Atlas(HPA)database.Lastly,the association between relapse-free survival(RFS)and hub genes were evaluated with clinical data from TCGA database.ResultsThrough bioinformatics analyses,we acquired 256 overlapped DEGs including130 upregulated genes and 126 downregulated genes from 75 paired PTC and normal tissue samples.GO analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in the regulation of endochondral ossification,replacement ossification,degradation of extracellular matrix(ECM)structures and the physiological process of hormones.The KEGG pathways were significantly involved in complement and coagulation cascades,ECM-receptor interaction and tyrosine metabolism.A PPI network was constructed consisting of eight hub genes included seven upregulated genes(COL1A1,FN1,ITGA2,LRRK2,MET,SERPINA1,TIMP1)and one downregulated gene(DCN).The expression of target genes in human tissues,TCGA database and HPA database were consistent with CEO database.Statistical analysis revealed that the expression of FN1 and TIMP1 might be correlated with the RFS.ConclusionCOL1A1,FN1,ITGA2,LRRK2,MET,SERPINA1,TIMP1 were highly expressed in PTC,and DCN was low expressed in PTC.FN1 and TIMP1 may be associated with prognosis of PTC.These target genes may play an important role in the occurrence and development of papillary thyroid carcinoma,and are expected to be biomarkers or therapeutic targets for PTC diagnosis and prognosis.