Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of kidney tissue in a tree shrew model of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis

Background: Kidney stones, predominantly composed of calcium oxalate, are a prevalent and recurrent urological condition. Given their high incidence and recurrence rates, understanding their pathogenesis and identifying effective treatment strategies are imperative. Methods: In this study, we established a calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis model using tree shrews, a primate-like animal species. When compared to commonly used rodent models (rats and mice), the tree shrew model demonstrated superior reproducibility and relevance. And leveraging transcriptome sequencing and comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Results: we identified 1,927 differentially expressed genes, including 1,450 upregulated and 476 downregulated genes. Furthermore, we annotated these genes to 41 KEGG enriched pathways and 1,413 GO enrichments, encompassing 1276 Biological Processes, 72 Cellular Components, and Molecular Functions. Notably, we prioritized the top 50 core genes that could potentially underlie the pathogenesis of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. Conclusions: Our findings establish the tree shrew as a relevant model for studying kidney stone formation and provide valuable insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms. These insights hold promise for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to address this significant health burden. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.