Abstract：
The development and progression of atherosclerosis represent a chronic process involving complex molecular interactions. Therefore, identifying the potential hub genes and pathways contributing to coronary artery disease (CAD) development is essential for understanding its underlying molecular mechanisms. To this end, we performed transcriptome analysis of peripheral venous blood collected from 100 patients who were divided into four groups according to disease severity, including 27 patients in the atherosclerosis group, 22 patients in the stable angina group, 35 patients in the acute myocardial infarction group, and 16 controls. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed using R programming. Significant module-trait correlations were identified according to module membership and genetic significance. Metascape was used for the functional enrichment of differentially expressed genes between groups, and the hub genes were identified via protein-protein interaction network analysis. The hub genes were further validated by analyzing Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE48060 and GSE141512) datasets. A total of 9,633 messenger ribonucleic acids were detected in three modules, among which the blue module was highly correlated with the Gensini score. The hub genes were significantly enriched in the myeloid leukocyte activation pathway, suggesting its important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. Among these genes, the Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) may play a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis and CAD severity.
摘要：
动脉粥样硬化的发展和进展代表了涉及复杂分子相互作用的慢性过程。因此,确定导致冠状动脉疾病(CAD)发展的潜在枢纽基因和通路对于理解其潜在的分子机制至关重要.为此,我们对100例患者的外周静脉血进行了转录组分析，这些患者根据疾病严重程度分为四组，包括动脉粥样硬化组的27名患者，稳定型心绞痛组22例，急性心肌梗死组35例,16个控件使用R编程进行加权基因共表达网络分析。根据模块成员资格和遗传意义鉴定了显着的模块-性状相关性。Metascape用于组间差异表达基因的功能富集，并通过蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用网络分析鉴定了hub基因。通过分析基因表达Omnibus(GSE48060和GSE141512)数据集来进一步验证hub基因。在三个模块中共检测到9,633个信使核糖核酸，其中蓝色模块与Gensini评分高度相关。hub基因在骨髓白细胞活化途径中显著富集，提示其在动脉粥样硬化进展中的重要作用。在这些基因中,地中海热基因（MEFV）可能在动脉粥样硬化和CAD严重程度的进展中起关键作用。
