Integrated bioinformatic identification and translational validation of key biomarkers and therapeutic candidates for preeclampsia-related acute kidney injury.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify and validate key biomarkers for PE-AKI and to explore potential therapeutic candidates through an integrated bioinformatic and experimental approach.

METHODS

Data was obtained from transcriptome sequencing of 12 mouse tissue samples and 8 human cell samples. Differential expression analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in mouse and human PE kidney injury. The intersection of DEGs was used to identify candidate genes. Key genes were further identified through protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, followed by subcellular localization, functional enrichment, molecular regulatory network construction, drug prediction, and molecular docking. The expression of key genes was validated in LPS-induced PE mouse models and blood samples from PE and PE-AKI patients.

RESULTS

IL-6, CXCL2, and CEBPB were identified as key genes. They were significantly upregulated in both experimental and clinical PE-AKI samples and were co-enriched in pivotal inflammatory pathways, including interferon-gamma/alpha response and TNF-α signaling via NF-κB. Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant alterations in 28 immune cell types in the PE-AKI model. A comprehensive molecular regulatory network, encompassing 35 transcription factors and 93 miRNAs, was constructed. Drug prediction and molecular docking identified deptropine and clotrimazole as high-affinity candidates capable of stably binding all three key genes. Clinically, CXCL2 and CEBPB demonstrated promising diagnostic value for PE-AKI, with AUCs of 0.770 and 0.790, respectively.

CONCLUSION

IL-6, CXCL2, and CEBPB are identified as key mediators in PE-AKI. Among them, CXCL2 and CEBPB show particular promise as diagnostic biomarkers, a finding that warrants further validation in larger, multi-center cohorts to confirm their utility in stratifying disease severity.