Analysis of communal molecular mechanism and potential therapeutic targets in heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: Although increasing evidence has suggested an interaction between heart failure (HF) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the common mechanisms of the two diseases remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets in HF and T2DM. Methods: The communal DEGs of HF and T2DM were identified by analyzing the two microarray datasets (GSE84796 and GSE95849), and functional annotation was performed for the communal DEGs to uncover the potential molecular mechanisms of HF and T2DM. Subsequently, STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct the protein– protein interaction (PPI) network and screen the hub genes. Finally, co-expression and drug– gene interaction prediction analysis and mRNA–miRNA regulatory network analysis were performed for hub genes. Results: A total of 233 up-regulated genes and 3 down-regulated genes were found between HF and T2DM. The functional enrichment of DEGs and genes in each four modules were mainly involved in immunity. In addition, five hub genes were identified from PPI network, including SYK, SELL, RAC2, TLR8 and ITGAX. Conclusion: The communal DEGs and hub genes identified in this research contribute to discover the underlying biological mechanisms and presents potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets in HF and T2DM.