Identification of differentially expressed genes associated with burn sepsis using microarray

The aim of the present study was to identify the potential target biomarkers associated with burn sepsis using microarray. GSE1781 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus and included a collective of three biological replicates for each of the three conditions: Sham-Sham, Sham-cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and Burn-CLP. Subsequently, limma was applied to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Additionally, functional annotations were predicted by pathway enrichment. Furthermore, the transcription factors were screened according to the transcriptional regulation from patterns to profiles database. Furthermore, the interaction associations of the proteins were obtained from the STRING database and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using Cytoscape. Finally, the gene co-expression analysis was conducted using CoExpress. In total, compared with Sham-Sham, a total of 476 DEGs and 682 DEGs were obtained in Sham-CLP and Burn-CLP, respectively. Additionally, 230 DEGs were screened in Burn-CLP compared with Sham-CLP. Acadm, Ehhadh and Angptl4 were significantly enriched in the PPAR signaling pathway. Additionally, Gsta3, Gstm2 and Gstt1 in Burn-CLP were significantly enriched in glutathione metabolism. In the PPI network, the transcription factor Ppargc1a interacted with Angptl4, while Acadm interacted with Ehhadh. The gene co-expression analysis showed that Ehhadh could be co-expressed with Aqp8. In conclusion, Acadm, Ehhadh, Aqp8, Gsta3, Gstm2, Gstt1, Ppargc1a and Angptl4 may be potential target genes for the treatment of burn sepsis.