Identification of the role of pyroptosis -related genes in chronic rhinosinusitis based on WGCNA

Abstract

Abstract Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complex chronic inflammatory disease of the nose, paranasal sinus, and upper respiratory tract. Its treatment methods mainly include antibiotic treatment and surgical treatment. However, the molecular mechanism of its inflammation is still unclear. Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death. As an important natural immune response, pyroptosis plays an essential role in fighting infection. Methods: In this paper, a weighted co-expression network (WGCNA) was used to screen gene modules significantly related to CRS. Then it intersects with the genes related to scorching death (PRGs). We evaluated the immune landscape of CRS by the expression of intersecting genes. In addition, in the enrichment analysis of intersection genes and PPI network analysis, we verified the pathways closely related to CRS and hub genes. Finally, the interaction network between the hub gene, miRNA, and TF was constructed. Results: Hub genes (CASP3, IL18, NAIP, NLRC4, and TP53) found in this paper are directly or indirectly related to CRS, and these genes were proved to be of diagnostic significance to CRS by ROC curve. In the infiltration abundance of CRS and its control group, the infiltration abundance of Plasma cells, T cells follicular helper, Macrophages M2, Dendritic cells activated, and Neutrophils cells in the two groups were significantly different. We also constructed the interaction network between the hub genes and miRNAs and the interaction network between hub genes and TFs. Most of these miRNAs and TFs were also related to CRS. Conclusions: Five hub genes were identified and verified by focusing on the role of apoptosis-related genes in CRS. And the immune landscape of the hub genes in CRS and its interaction with miRNA and TF were determined, respectively.