Identification of Key Target Genes and Pathway Analysis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Via Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis

PURPOSE: This study aimed at exploring the mechanisms underlying nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and developing new diagnostic biomarkers for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: The microarray dataset GES83452 was downloaded from the NCBI-GEO database, and the differentially expressed RNAs (DERs) were screened between the NAFLD and non-NAFLD samples of the baseline and 1-year follow-up time point group based on the Limma package. RESULTS: A total of 561 DERs (268 downregulated and 293 upregulated) were screened in the baseline time point group, and 1163 DERs (522 downregulated and 641 upregulated) were screened in the 1-year follow-up time point group. A total of 74 lncRNA–miRNA pairs and 523 miRNA–mRNA pairs were obtained in order to construct a lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory network. Subsequently, functional enrichment analysis revealed 28 GO and 9 KEGG pathways in the ceRNA regulatory network. LEPR and CXCL10 are involved in the Cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction (P = 1.86E-02), and the FOXO1 is involved in both the insulin signaling pathway (P = 1.79E-02) and the pathways in cancer (P = 2.87E-02). CONCLUSION: LEPR, CXCL10, and FOXO1 were the characteristic target genes for NAFLD.