VNN2 and IL1R2 Identified as Potential Molecular Signatures in Granulosa Cells and Blood of Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Zahraa Alali
In: Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets · 2025 · vol. 25 · doi:10.2174/0118715303417042251002073727 · PMID:41114485 · W4415356023
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This study used transcriptomic data from GEO datasets (granulosa cells: 7 PCOS vs 7 controls; blood: two datasets totaling 12 PCOS vs 12 controls) to identify differentially expressed genes shared across tissue types, then applied in silico analyses for hub genes, protein-protein interactions, and predicted drug targets. The authors found VNN2 and IL1R2 were consistently dysregulated in PCOS, with additional genes differing by dataset (including AQP9, CXCR1, and ANXA3) and functional enrichment pointing to immune and metabolic pathways; AQP9 was identified as a hub gene. Drug-target prediction suggested IL1R2 could be targeted by anakinra and VNN2 related to pantothenic acid, while the main caveat stated was that further validation is needed to confirm clinical significance and roles. The paper does not explicitly discuss endometriosis or adenomyosis; it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: PCOS is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, with granulosa cells playing a key role in its development. This study aims to identify shared differentially expressed genes (DEG) in granulosa cells and blood from PCOS patients, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. METHODS: Transcriptomic data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database: GSE95728 (granulosa cells; 7 PCOS, 7 controls) and two blood-based datasets, GSE85932 and GSE54248 (12 PCOS, 12 controls). In silico tools were employed to identify DEG, hub genes, and protein-protein interactions and to explore predicted drug targets. RESULTS: were dysregulated in GSE95728 (granulosa cells) and GSE54248 (blood). Functional enrichment highlighted immune and metabolic pathways. Protein-protein interaction analysis identified AQP9 as a hub gene. Drug prediction analysis suggested that IL1R2 could be targeted by anakinra, while VNN2 was predicted to interact with pantothenic acid. DISCUSSION: The dysregulation of VNN2 and IL1R2 across tissue types suggests their involvement in immune-inflammatory processes in PCOS. The expression of AQP9 and other metabolism-related genes indicates possible immune-metabolic crosstalk, aligning with known PCOS pathophysiology. CONCLUSION: VNN2 and IL1R2 show potential as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in PCOS. Further validation is needed to confirm their clinical significance and roles.
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Abstract

Introduction: PCOS is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, with granulosa cells playing a key role in its development. This study aims to identify shared differentially expressed genes (DEG) in granulosa cells and blood from PCOS patients, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Methods

Transcriptomic data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database: GSE95728 (granulosa cells; 7 PCOS, 7 controls) and two blood-based datasets, GSE85932 and GSE54248 (12 PCOS, 12 controls). In silico tools were employed to identify DEG, hub genes, and protein-protein interactions and to explore predicted drug targets.

Results

DEG analysis revealed that Vanin-2 (VNN2) and Interleukin-1 receptor type 2 (IL1R2) were consistently dysregulated in PCOS patients. Dysferlin (DYSF), Carbonic Anhydrase 4 (CA4), and Solute Carrier Family 2 Member 14 (SLC2A14) were differentially expressed between the blood datasets, while Aquaporin 9 (AQP9), C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1 (CXCR1), and Annexin A3 (ANXA3) were dysregulated in GSE95728 (granulosa cells) and GSE54248 (blood). Functional enrichment highlighted immune and metabolic pathways. Protein-protein interaction analysis identified AQP9 as a hub gene. Drug prediction analysis suggested that IL1R2 could be targeted by anakinra, while VNN2 was predicted to interact with pantothenic acid.

Discussion

The dysregulation of VNN2 and IL1R2 across tissue types suggests their involvement in immune-inflammatory processes in PCOS. The expression of AQP9 and other metabolism-related genes indicates possible immune-metabolic crosstalk, aligning with known PCOS pathophysiology.

Conclusion

VNN2 and IL1R2 show potential as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in PCOS. Further validation is needed to confirm their clinical significance and roles.

Keywords

PCOS, VNN2, IL1R2, DEGs, GEO dataset, Hub genes.

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pantothenic acid

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