# Integrating Bioinformatics and Experimental Validation Identifies SCD as a Ferroptosis-Related Immune Regulator and Therapeutic Target in Crohn’s Disease

## TL;DR

This study finds that a gene called SCD is linked to immune issues in Crohn’s disease and could be a new treatment target.

## Contribution

The study identifies SCD as a ferroptosis-related immune regulator in Crohn’s disease through bioinformatics and experimental validation.

## Key findings

- Seven hub ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes were identified and linked to immune cell infiltration in Crohn’s disease.
- Localized inhibition of SCD reduced disease severity in a mouse model of colitis.
- Key hub genes showed altered protein expression in clinical Crohn’s disease samples.

## Abstract

This study investigates the role of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in the intestinal inflammation of Crohn’s disease (CD). Through integrated bioinformatics and experimental validation, we identified differentially expressed genes from RNA-seq data and intersected them with known FRGs to obtain ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (FEDGs). Functional enrichment and immune infiltration analyses were performed, and seven hub FEDGs were selected using machine learning. A diagnostic model based on these genes showed strong predictive ability. Immune analysis revealed significant associations with macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and CD4+ T cells. Protein expression of key hub genes was validated in clinical CD samples and a DSS-induced colitis model. Importantly, localized inhibition of SCD alleviated disease severity in experimental colitis. These findings highlight the involvement of ferroptosis in CD immune dysregulation and propose SCD as a potential therapeutic target.