Work

Computational Investigation of Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity in Atherosclerosis and Vascular Calcification: Insights from Differential Gene Expression Analysis of Microarray Data

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The dedifferentiation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is the main cause of atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. This study integrated the gene expression data of multiple microarrays to identify relevant marker molecules. A total of 72 Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) samples (GSM) were collected from 10 gene expression data series (GSE) and divided into five groups: non-SMC, SMC, atherosclerotic SMC (SMC-ath), calcified SMC (SMC-calc), and treated SMC (SMC-t). The SMC-t group included synthetic SMCs that had undergone treatment to inhibit proliferation, migration, or inflammation. The gene expression data were merged, normalized, and batch effects were removed before differential gene expression (DGE) analysis was performed via linear models for microarray data (limma) and statistical analysis of metagenomic profiles (STAMPs). The genes with expressions that significantly differed were subsequently subjected to protein-protein interaction (PPI) and functional prediction analyses. In addition, the random forest method was used for classification. Twelve proteins that may be marker molecules for SMC differentiation and dedifferentiation were identified, namely, Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1), Transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI), Complement C1s (C1S), Phosphomannomutase 1 (PMM1), Claudin 7 (CLDN7), Calcium binding and coiled-coil domain 2 (CALCOCO2), SAC3 domain-containing protein 1 (SAC3D1), Natriuretic peptide B (NPPB), Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), Regulator of the Cell Cycle (RGCC), Alpha-crystallin B Chain (CRYAB), and Alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B). Finally, their possible roles in SMCs are discussed. This study highlights the feasibility of bioinformatics analysis for studying SMC dedifferentiation.

Source: Bioengineering

DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering12111223

Authors: Daniel Liu, Jimmy Kuo, Chorng-Horng Lin

Institutions: Dayeh University, National Dong Hwa University, National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

Language: English

Topic: Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258