Immunoassay and Drug prediction of Cuproptosis-related genes in Sepsis based on ssGSEA

Abstract

Abstract Background Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in critically ill patients worldwide due to its complex pathogenesis, poor prognosis, and high mortality rate. The diagnosis and treatment of sepsis are still a severe challenge for clinicians. The immune analysis of Sepsis Cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) was performed based on the single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. The purpose of clarifying the correlation between CRGs and sepsis immunity is to explore new targets and potential clinical values for the immune mechanism of sepsis and to provide a new perspective for the basic and clinical research of sepsis. Method The data set of the sepsis whole blood gene expression matrix was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, from which CRGs expression was extracted. The infiltration matrix of immune cells and functions was obtained by ssGSEA function, and the differences in immune cells and immune function between sepsis and healthy control groups were analyzed. The correlation coefficient was calculated by cor-function. Test function to analyze the correlation between CRGs and immune cells and immune function in sepsis and to screen out target genes. Target genes were used to perform KEGG and go enrichment analysis, predict miRNA regulatory relationships, and predict potential drugs in the Enrichr database. Results There were significant differences in immune cells and immune function between the sepsis group and the healthy control group. Eleven target genes were screened out, which were closely related to immunity in sepsis. The citrate cycle was the most enriched pathway. The biological process was mainly enriched in metabolic processes, copper ion transport, etc. The cell component was significantly enriched in the mitochondrial matrix and the like. The molecular function was mainly concentrated in transition metal ion transmembrane transporter activity, cuprous ion binding, and so on. The Enrichr database was applied to screen six human miRNAs with potential regulatory relationships with sepsis CRGs, and a variety of chemical and natural drug components were screened as potential therapeutic agents. Conclusion CRGs in sepsis are closely related to immune cells and immune functions. As a new form of cell death, cuproptosis may play an important role in the development of sepsis.