Identification of lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells associated with sepsis immunosuppression based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Identification of lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells associated with sepsis immunosuppression based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Abstract Background Sepsis-induced immunosuppression involves complex molecular mechanisms, including dysregulated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which remain poorly understood. Objective We aimed to identify immunosuppression-related lncRNAs and their functional pathways in sepsis. Methods: Using w...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wenjia Zhang, Yan Li, Gang Li, Aijia Zhang, Wende Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Hereditas
Subjects:
Sepsis
Immunosuppression
lncRNAs
WGCNA
Hub genes
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41065-025-00400-z
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Summary:Abstract Background Sepsis-induced immunosuppression involves complex molecular mechanisms, including dysregulated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which remain poorly understood. Objective We aimed to identify immunosuppression-related lncRNAs and their functional pathways in sepsis. Methods: Using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), we analyzed lncRNA profiles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of three sepsis patients and three healthy controls. Key modules linked to immunosuppression were validated via RT-PCR and external datasets. Pathway enrichment and protein interaction networks were employed to prioritize mechanisms. Results A sepsis-associated module containing 4,193 lncRNAs revealed three immunosuppression-related pathways: Th17 cell differentiation, cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, and cancer-related proteoglycan signaling. Protein–protein interaction networks identified three central genes (SLFN12, ICOS, IKZF2) and their linked lncRNAs (ENSG00000267074, lnc-ICOSLG-1, lnc-IKZF2-7), all significantly downregulated in sepsis patients. Conclusion  Our findings highlight novel lncRNA-regulated pathways in sepsis-induced immunosuppression, providing potential targets for improved diagnosis and therapy.
ISSN:1601-5223

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