Identification of key target genes and pathway analysis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via integrated bioinformatics analysis

Abstract

Abstract 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. LEPR and CXCL10 are involved in the Cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction (P = 1.86E-02), and the FOXO1 is involved in both the insulin signaling pathway (P = 1.79E-02) and the pathways in cancer (P = 2.87E-02). Conclusion LEPR, CXCL10, and FOXO1 were the characteristic target genes for NAFLD.