Exploratory research on the probable shared molecular mechanism and transcription factors between chronic periodontitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate possible cross-talk genes, associated pathways, and transcription factors between chronic periodontitis (CP) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

The gene expression profiles of CP (GSE10334 and GSE16134) and COPD (GSE76925) were downloaded from the GEO database. Differential expression and functional clustering analyses were performed. The protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. The core cross-talk genes were filtered using four topological analysis algorithms and modular segmentation. Then, functional clustering analysis was performed again.

RESULTS

GSE10334 detected 164 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (119 upregulated and 45 downregulated). GSE16134 identified 208 DEGs (154 upregulated and 54 downregulated). GSE76925 identified 1 408 DEGs (557 upregulated and 851 downregulated). The PPI network included 21 nodes and 20 edges. The final screening included seven cross-talk genes: CD79A, FCRLA, CD19, IRF4, CD27, SELL, and CXCL13. Relevant pathways included primary immunodeficiency, the B-cell receptor signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates the probability of shared pathophysiology between CP and COPD, and their cross-talk genes, associated pathways, and transcription factors may offer novel concepts for future mechanistic investigations.