Uncovering the shared neuro-immune-related regulatory mechanisms between spinal cord injury and osteoarthritis

This study explores the link between spinal cord injury (SCI) and osteoarthritis (OA), two conditions that often occur together. Researchers used bioinformatics to analyze gene expression data and identify common regulatory mechanisms involving the nervous and immune systems in both diseases. The analysis pinpointed shared genes, microRNAs, and signaling pathways that might be driving both SCI and OA. These findings could lead to the development of new treatments that target these shared mechanisms. Specifically, the study identified CD44, TGFBR1, CCR5, and IGF1, and their related microRNAs (miR-125b-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-204-5p, and miR-204-3p) as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for both SCI and OA.

• 1
  A total of 185 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in both SCI and OA.
• 2
  A regulatory network consisting of five genes (CD44, TGFBR1, CCR5, CLEC7A, and IGF1), six miRNAs (miR-125b-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-204-5p, miR-204-3p, and miR-30b-3p), and six signaling pathways was constructed.
• 3
  Upregulation of CD44, TGFBR1, CCR5, and IGF1, while lower levels of miR-125b-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-204-5p, and miR-204-3p in both SCI and OA were successfully verified using RT-qPCR.