Bioinformatic analysis of differentially expressed genes involved in the hepatitis B virus-associated acute liver failure

Background : The rarity of acute liver failure, along with its severity and heterogeneity, has resulted in a very limited evidence to understand of the molecular mechanism. To analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the Hepatitis B Virus -Associated Acute Liver Failure and elucidate the biological significance of the DEGs. Methods : Firstly, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between seventeen HBV-associated acute liver failure liver samples and ten control normal liver samples were identified by R package. Then, the enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways of those DEGs were obtained using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Finally, protein-protein interactions (PPI) network of those DEGs were constructed using STRING database and visualized by Cytoscape software. Results : A total of 328 DEGs were identified in Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Acute Liver Failure group compared with the control group. Several novel biomarkers that might play important roles in HBV-associated acute liver failure were identified through the analysis of gene microarray in GEO. Furthermore, DEGs with high connectivity degrees, such as KNG1, PLG, F2 and pathways such as complement and coagulation cascades were noticed. Conclusion : DEGs with high connectivity degrees, such as KNG1, PLG and their relative pathway complement and coagu- lation cascades may be important for further understanding of the molecular mechanism of HBV-associated acute liver failure. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2018, 81, 288-294).