Comparative analysis of gene expression profiles in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that is typically diagnosed in children. The aim of the present study was to identify potential genes involved in the pathogenesis of childhood T1D. Two datasets of mRNA expression in children with T1D were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in children with T1D were identified. Functional analysis was performed and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, as was a transcription factor (TF)-target network. The expression of selected DEGs was further assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. Electronic validation and diagnostic value analysis of the identified DEGs [cytokine inducible SH2 containing protein (CISH), SR-related CTD associated factor 11 (SCAF11), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), Rho GTPase activating protein 25 (ARHGAP25), major histocompatibility complex, class II, DR β4 (HLA-DRB4) and interleukin 23 subunit α (IL23A)] was performed in the GEO dataset. Compared with the normal control group, a total of 1,467 DEGs with P<0.05 were identified in children with T1D. CISH and SCAF11 were determined to be the most up- and downregulated genes, respectively. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D (HNRNPD; degree=33), protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit α1 (PRKAA1; degree=11), integrin subunit α4 (ITGA4; degree=8) and ESR1 (degree=8) were identified in the PPI network as high-degree genes. ARHGAP25 (degree=12), HNRNPD (degree=10), HLA-DRB4 (degree=10) and IL23A (degree=9) were high-degree genes identified in the TF-target network. RT-qPCR revealed that the expression of HNRNPD, PRKAA1, ITGA4 and transporter 2, ATP binding cassette subfamily B member was consistent with the results of the integrated analysis. Furthermore, the results of the electronic validation were consistent with the bioinformatics analysis. SCAF11, CISH and ARHGAP25 were identified to possess value as potential diagnostic markers for children with T1D. In conclusion, identifying DEGs in children with T1D may contribute to our understanding of its pathogenesis, and such DEGs may be used as diagnostic biomarkers for children with T1D.