Identification of immune-related hub genes and potential molecular mechanisms involved in COVID-19 via integrated bioinformatics analysis

Abstract

Background:COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, poses significant health challenges worldwide, particularly due to severe immune-related complications. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and identifying key immune-related genes (IRGs) involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis are critical for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Methods: This study integrated bioinformatics approaches and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to elucidate the roles of IRGs in COVID-19. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from GEO datasets comparing COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. IRGs were obtained from the ImmPort database. Functional enrichment, pathway analysis, and immune infiltration assessments were subsequently conducted to determine the biological significance of the identified IRGs. Results: A total of 360 common differential IRGs were identified. Among these genes, CD1C, IL1B, and SLP1 have emerged as key genes with potential protective effects againstCOVID-19. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that CD1C is involved in terpenoid backbone biosynthesis and Th17 cell differentiation, while IL1B was linked to B-cell receptor signaling and the NF-kappa B signaling pathway. Significant correlations were observed between key genes and various immune cells, suggesting their influence on immune cell modulation in COVID-19. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the immune mechanisms underlying COVID-19, highlighting the crucial role of IRGs in disease progression. These findings suggest that CD1C and IL1B could serve as potential therapeutic targets. The integrated bioinformatics and MR analysis approach offers a robust framework for further exploration of immune responses in patients with COVID-19 and the development of targeted therapies.