Key regulatory genes and signaling pathways involved in islet culture: a bioinformatic analysis

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by non-ideal mass and low survival rate of islets. Therefore, it is necessary to find intrinsic factors that prolong the survival of islets. This study aimed to track out hub genes and pathways in the process of islet culture by bioinformatic analysis. We downloaded the gene expression microarray of GSE42591 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Aberrant Differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were obtained using the GEO2R tool. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed on selected genes by usingthe Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed with the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) and visualized in Cytoscape 3.7.2. A total of 434 genes were overexpressed and 114 genes underexpressed in fresh to cultured 4 h tissue. KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed the TGF-beta signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, or VEGF signaling pathway. The genes FN1, MKI67, IGF1, MAPK14, COL1A1 might be involved in islet culture. In general, this work scrutinized islet culture relevant knowledge and provided insight into the regulation and mediation of islet survival.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify hub genes and pathways in the process of islet culture by using bioinformatic analysis. The results revealed overexpressed and underexpressed genes in cultured tissue, with KEGG pathway enrichment analyses pointing towards TGF-beta, MAPK, and VEGF signaling pathways. Specific genes like FN1, MKI67, IGF1, MAPK14, and COL1A1 may play a role in islet culture and survival. Overall, this work provides insights into the regulation and mediation of islet survival.