Integrated analysis and single-cell sequencing of mitochondrial metabolism related gene molecular subtype and diagnostic model in ulcerative colitis

TL;DR

This study explores how mitochondrial metabolism-related genes affect ulcerative colitis, identifying new biomarkers and subtypes that could improve diagnosis and treatment.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel diagnostic model and molecular subtypes of UC based on mitochondrial metabolism-related genes.

Findings

Mitochondrial metabolism-related genes (MMRG) were found to be differentially expressed in ulcerative colitis.

Single-cell sequencing revealed distinct MMRG expression patterns across cell subtypes in UC.

Selected MMRG biomarkers showed abnormal expression confirmed by qRT-PCR and western blot.

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that seriously affects the life expectancy of patients. Although increasingly sophisticated combinations of drugs can alleviate symptoms, 10–20% of patients still do not respond well. Therefore, it is necessary to further explore the pathogenesis and potential biomarkers of UC. Many clues have suggested the important value of mitochondrial metabolism in UC, but its role and related targets need to be further explored. By public database data, we identified differentially expressed mitochondrial metabolism related genes (MMRG) in UC. Subsequently, we identified biomarkers associated with MMRG based on a machine learning approach. After classifying the MMRG-associated molecular subtypes of UC, we comprehensively analyzed the MMRG biomarkers and the relationship between the MMRG molecular subtypes and immune infiltration characteristics. Single-cell sequencing analysis showed significant expression pattern of MMRG signatures in different cell subtypes. qRT-PCR and western blot further confirmed the abnormal expressions of selected genes in vitro. Our findings provided a new perspective on the role of MMRG in UC.

Figures