Conclusion
We constructed the predicted PPI networks and functional modules related to psoriasis and atopic dermatitis and distinguished the key candidate target genes CXCL8, STAT1, and MMP9 in the diagnosis and therapy of similar pathogenesis.
Methods
The differential analyses of GSE14905 (psoriasis) and GSE32924 (atopic dermatitis) deposited in GEO database were conducted and obtained their differential expressed genes. Moreover, PPI, functional modules, GO, and KEGG enrichment analyses were used for the further analysis. The mouse models of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis were established, and then, RT-qPCR and Western blotting assay were performed to check the abundant changes of hub genes.
Results
There are 732 differentially expressed genes in psoriasis versus nonlesional skin samples. Besides, 611 differentially expressed genes were identified in atopic dermatitis versus nonlesional skin data sets. Based on these differentially expressed genes, we predicted their joint and individual protein-protein interaction networks and functional modules in both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Through the PPI network of genes, we calculated the hub nodes and do the GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of overlapped genes of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, which suggested there were some terms like "positive regulation of interleukin-12 production," "centromeric region," and "TNF signaling pathway."