Identification of Key Target Genes and Pathway Analysis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Via Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed at exploring the mechanisms underlying nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and developing new diagnostic biomarkers for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods: The microarray dataset GES83452 was downloaded from the NCBI-GEO database, and the differentially expressed RNAs (DERs) were screened between the NAFLD and non-NAFLD samples of the baseline and 1-year follow-up time point group based on the Limma package.

Results: A total of 561 DERs (268 downregulated and 293 upregulated) were screened in the baseline time point group, and 1163 DERs (522 downregulated and 641 upregulated) were screened in the 1-year follow-up time point group. A total of 74 lncRNA-miRNA pairs and 523 miRNA-mRNA pairs were obtained in order to construct a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network. Subsequently, functional enrichment analysis revealed 28 GO and 9 KEGG pathways in the ceRNA regulatory network. and are involved in the Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction ( = 1.86E-02), and the is involved in both the insulin signaling pathway ( = 1.79E-02) and the pathways in cancer ( = 2.87E-02).

Conclusion: , , and were the characteristic target genes for NAFLD.