Identification of Diagnostic Biomarkers by Bioinformatics Analysis in the Inflamed and Non-inflamed Intestinal Mucosa of Patients With Crohn’s Disease

Background: Crohn’s Disease (CD) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that, despite its unknown etiology, is generally associated with genetics, immune system, and environmental factors. In this study, we uncover transcriptional signatures in patients with CD and subsequently explain the putative molecular pathways in the inflamed and non-inflamed intestinal mucosa. Materials and Methods: We obtain GSE83448 gene expression profiles from the Omnibus gene expression database. Also, for the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of Differentially Expressed Gene (DEG) pathways, we used DAVID software. DEGs were detected in the inflamed and non-inflamed intestinal mucosa of CD patients compared to the control group using the GEO2R instrument. Significant modules and hub genes were identified after producing protein-protein interaction (PPIs) networks of DEGs using Cytoscape software. Results: The 10 specific hub genes of CD, including Matrix Metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), Cadherin 1 (CDH1), Periostin (POSTN), Collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A2), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), Collagen type III alpha 1 chain (COL3A1), JUN, Serine Protease Inhibitor clade E member 1 (SERPINE1), Integrin alpha M (ITGAM), and Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF), were used as biomarkers to discriminate between inflamed and non-inflamed intestinal mucosa groups in patients. Conclusion: These findings could lead to new molecular targets and diagnostic biomarkers for both inflamed and non-inflamed intestinal mucosa in CD patients.