Identification of Immune-Related Gene Signature in Schizophrenia

Authors

  • Yu Wu School of Nursing, Qiqihar Medical University, 161000 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
  • Zhichao Wang Department of Academic Research, Qiqihar Medical University, 161000 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
  • Houjia Hu School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, 330006 Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
  • Tong Wu Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, 161000 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
  • Alabed Ali A. Alabed Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Lincoln University College, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Zhenghai Sun Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, 161000 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
  • Yuchen Wang Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, 161000 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
  • Guangcheng Cui Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, 161000 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
  • Weiliang Cong Department of Anaesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, 161000 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
  • Chengchong Li Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, 161000 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China
  • Ping Li Department of Psychology, Qiqihar Medical University, 161000 Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62641/aep.v52i3.1648

Keywords:

schizophrenia, gene expression profiling, immune-related gene signature, KEGG, WGCNA

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a type of psychiatric disorder characterized by multiple symptoms. Our aim is to decipher the relevant mechanisms of immune-related gene signatures in SCZ.

Methods: The SCZ dataset and its associated immunoregulatory genes were retrieved using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Co-expressed gene modules were determined through weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA). To elucidate the functional characteristics of these clusters, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used. Additionally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) were conducted to identify enriched pathways for the immune subgroups. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was performed to identify core genes relevant to SCZ.

Results: A significantly higher immune score was observed in SCZ compared to control samples. Seven distinct gene modules were identified, with genes highlighted in green selected for further analysis. Using the Cell-type Identification By Estimating Relative Subsets Of RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT) method, degrees of immune cell adhesion and accumulation related to 22 different immune cell types were calculated. Significantly enriched bioprocesses concerning the immunoregulatory genes with differential expressions included interferon-beta, IgG binding, and response to interferon-gamma, according to GO and KEGG analyses. Eleven hub genes related to immune infiltration emerged as key players among the three top-ranked GO terms.

Conclusions: This study underscores the involvement of immunoregulatory reactions in SCZ development. Eleven immune-related genes (IFITM1 (interferon induced transmembrane protein 1), GBP1 (guanylate binding protein 1), BST2 (bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2), IFITM3 (interferon induced transmembrane protein 3), GBP2 (guanylate binding protein 2), CD44 (CD44 molecule), FCER1G (Fc epsilon receptor Ig), HLA-DRA (major histocompatibility complex, class II, DR alpha), FCGR2A (Fc gamma receptor IIa), IFI16 (interferon gamma inducible protein 16), and FCGR3B (Fc gamma receptor IIIb)) were identified as hub genes, representing potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets associated with the immune response in SCZ patients.

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Published

2024-06-05

How to Cite

Wu, Yu, et al. “Identification of Immune-Related Gene Signature in Schizophrenia”. Actas Españolas De Psiquiatría, vol. 52, no. 3, June 2024, pp. 276-88, doi:10.62641/aep.v52i3.1648.

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 3 (2024)

Section

Article