Shared Molecular Mechanisms Between Primary open angle glaucoma and Atherosclerosis via Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to explore the shared hub genes and molecular mechanisms between primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and atherosclerosis (AS) through integrated bioinformatic analysis. Data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Ninety-two common genes were identified through the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis and Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) between POAG and AS. According to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, the common genes were enriched in oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Then, through the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and ROC curve analysis, four shared hub genes were identified and the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) indicated these were all highly enriched in inflammatory and immune response. In addition, eight miRNAs and six transcription factors (TFs) were predicted to be key miRNAs and TFs. Finally, the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database identified twenty potential small-molecule drugs. This study revealed shared hub genes and molecular mechanisms between POAG and AS. Oxidative stress, the inflammatory and immune response may be a common contributor to POAG and AS. These common hub genes and molecular mechanisms may offer promising clues for further experimental studies.