Background: This study aims to investigate cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation of genes involved in some immune system targets as biomarkers of radioresistance in patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer.

Methods: Gene expression (GSE68204, GPL6480, and GSE15781) and DNA methylation profiles (GSE75548 and GSE139404) of rectal cancer patients were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GEO2R and FunRich software were first used to identify genes with significant expression differences. Enricher softwer was then used to analyze Gene Ontology and detect pathway enrichment of hub genes. Blood samples were then taken from 43 rectal cancer patients. After cfDNA extraction from samples, it was treated with bisulfite and analyzed by methylation-specific PCR.

Results: 1088 genes with high and 629 with low expression were identified by GEO2R and FunRich software. A total of five high-expression hub genes, including CDH24, FGF18, CCND1, IFITM1, UBE2V1, and three low-expression hub genes, including CBLN2, VIPR2, and IRF4, were identified from UALCAN and DNMIVD databases. Methylation-specific PCR indicated a significant difference in hub gene methylation between cancerous and non-cancerous individuals. Radiochemotherapy significantly affected hub gene methylation. There was a considerable difference in the methylation rate of hub genes between patients who responded to radiochemotherapy and those who did not.

Conclusions: Evaluating gene methylation patterns might be an appropriate diagnostic tool to predict radiochemotherapy response and develop targeted therapeutic agents.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156666DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

hub genes
16
rectal cancer
12
gene methylation
12
immune system
8
system targets
8
cell-free dna
8
dna methylation
8
gene expression
8
cancer patients
8
geo2r funrich
8

Similar Publications

Aim: To explore the role of the hub gene Transforming Growth Factor Beta Induced (TGFBI) in Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) pathogenesis and its regulatory relationship with Membrane Associated Ring-CH-Type Finger 8 (MARCHF8).

Background: IDD is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder leading to spinal pathology. Despite its ubiquity and impact, effective therapeutic strategies remain to be explored.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Differential Expression of GABA Receptor-Related Genes in Alzheimer's Disease and the Positive Regulatory Role of Aerobic Exercise-From Genetic Screening to D-gal-induced AD-like Pathology Model.

Neuromolecular Med

December 2024

Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise Rehabilitation of Hunan Province, College of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410012, China.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. The neuropathology of AD appears in the hippocampus. The purpose of this work was to reveal key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hippocampus of AD patients and healthy individuals.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death driven by oxidative stress, plays a crucial role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aging diminishes antioxidant systems that maintain iron homeostasis, particularly affecting the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) system, leading to increased ferroptosis and exacerbated neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in AD. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor regulating genes involved in antioxidant defense and ferroptosis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aims to identify novel loci associated with sarcopenia-related traits in UK Biobank (UKB) through multi-trait genome-wide analysis. To identify novel loci associated with sarcopenia, we integrated the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of usual walking pace (UWP) and hand grip strength (HGS) to conduct a joint association study known as multi-trait analysis of GWAS (MTAG). We performed a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) to analyze the results of MTAG in relation to mRNA expression data for genes identified in skeletal muscle.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: MicroRNAs have been linked to dementia. However, understanding their relation to cognition in the general population is required to determine their potential use for the detection and prevention of age-associated cognitive decline and preclinical dementia. Therefore, we examined the association of circulating microRNAs with cognitive performance in a population-based cohort and the possible underlying mechanisms.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!