ATF3 and extracellular matrix-related genes associated with the process of chronic obstructive pulmonary.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem worldwide and is proved to be the number three cause of death in globally. The objective of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism of the progression of COPD.

Methods: Using the GSE1650 affymetrix microarray data accessible from Gene Expression Omnibus database, we first identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 18 COPD samples and 12 normal samples, followed by the GO / KEGG pathway analysis and gene interaction networks analysis of the DEGs. Our study identified 134 DEGs which involved in regulation of immune response, vesicle transport system, growth regulator and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related pathways.

Results: Gene interaction networks analysis showed that the sub-network involved by activating transcription factor-3 (ATF3) was the most significant sub-network in gene interaction networks. Furthermore, the investigation of extracellular matrix-related genes showed that genes like collagen and insulin-like growth factor binding protein could clearly distinguish the COPD and normal control.

Conclusions: The genes regulated by ATF3 transcriptional activator as well as ECM-related genes may play an important role in the process of COPD. Our study provides a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of genes and pathways which may be involved in the progression of COPD.