Novel biomarkers related to oxidative stress and immunity in chronic kidney disease

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 10; no. 6; p. e27754
• Main Authors: Bai, Fang, Wang, Chunjie, Fan, Xin, Fang, Lin, Li, Luyao, Zhang, Xiaoning, Yu, Kuipeng, Liu, Lei, Guo, Ling, Yang, Xiangdong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 30.03.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bioinformatic analysis; Biomarker; Chronic kidney disease; NCF2; S100A9; SELL; WGCNA; Bioinformatic analysis; Biomarker; SELL; NCF2; Chronic kidney disease; WGCNA; S100A9
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27754

The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been increasing in recent years, gradually becoming a global health crisis. Due to limited treatment options, novel molecular pathways are urgently required to advance the treatment and diagnosis of CKD. The characteristics of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CKD patients were analyzed using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and genes related to oxidative stress were retrieved from the Genecard database. Subsequently, a comprehensive approach was applied, including immune infiltration analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, to identify hub genes among differentially expressed immune-related oxidative stress genes (DEIOSGs). Validation of hub genes was performed using an external data set, and diagnostic potential capability was evaluated through receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. In animal experiments, the expression of hub genes in CKD was confirmed by inducing a CKD model through a 5/6 nephrectomy procedure. Finally, the relationship between these hub genes and clinical characteristics were assessed using the Nephroseq v5 database. 29 DEIOSGs were identified by comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. PPI analysis screened the hub genes NCF2, S100A9, and SELL. ROC analysis demonstrated excellent diagnostic efficacy. Further validation from other databases and animal experiments confirmed a substantial upregulation in the expression of hub genes in CKD. Additionally, clinical correlation analysis established a clear link between hub gene expression and renal function deterioration. Our study confirms NCF2, S100A9, and SELL as diagnostic biomarkers associated with immune response and oxidative stress in CKD, suggesting their potential as novel targets for CKD diagnosis and treatment. •29 DEIOSGs for chronic kidney disease (CKD) were identified through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.•NCF2, S100A9, and SELL were confirmed as biomarkers associated with immune response and oxidative stress in CKD.•The expression of NCF2, S100A9, and SELL and the renal function was established through clinical correlation analysis.