Identifying hub genes associated with clinical characteristics in IgA nephropathy by WGCNA

Abstract Background Clinically, IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has a variety of symptoms including paroxysmal gross hematuria, nephritic syndrome and nephrotic syndrome. However, the currently research of IgAN research is not thoroughly enough. This study was aimed at investigating hub genes and genes modulars related to IgAN clinical characteristics. Results We collected microarray data from 66 human samples to construct the gene co-expression network by weighted gene co-expression network analysis and identify the hub genes associated with clinical characteristics. The GO-enriched analysis, pathway analysis and protein-protein interaction network were used to study the specific clinically relevant hub genes. The results showed there were 1470 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in IgAN glomeruli, of which 48 hub genes associated with blood pressure (Bp) and enriched in ERK1 and ERK2 cascade and Rap1 signaling pathway, 223 hub genes associated with body Mass Index (BMI) and related to organic acid catabolic process and fatty acid degradation pathway, 136 hub genes associated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) enriched in immune response and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, 82 hub genes associated with proteinuria enriched in extracellular matrix organization and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Moreover, there were 480 DEGs IgAN in tubulointerstitium. Among 480 DEGs, 35 hub genes associated with Bp which enriched in positive regulation of apoptotic process, 87 hub genes associated with GFR which related in negative regulation of macromolecule metabolic process and RNA transport, 33 hub genes associated with proteinuria and enriched in regulation of apoptotic process and FoxO signaling pathway. Conclusions We made a preliminary investigation of the transcriptome of IgAN and identified hub genes and pathways closely related to BMI, GFR and proteinuria in IgAN.