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Analysis of miRNA-mRNA interaction network reveals gap junction beta 2 as a potential candidate gene involved in psoriatic hearing loss pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND
Recent studies have shown that patients with psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that may accompany serious systemic disease, are at risk of developing sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The pathogenesis remains unclear, and the mechanisms of this disorder are difficult to explore in the clinical setting due to psoriasis hearing loss's infrequent incidence. Here we are aimed to identify key candidate genes that may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriatic hearing loss.


METHOD
In the present study, through online database and literature review, we utilized microRNA-mRNA network analysis and gene ontology annotation analysis, coupled with experimental data from clinical samples, to investigate the relationship between psoriasis and hearing loss.


RESULTS
We identified nine miRNAs implicated in both psoriasis and the auditory system. By using bioinformatics techniques, 12 target genes were identified. Finally, the gap junction beta-2 protein (GJB2) was found to be relevant to both psoriasis and hearing loss. In addition, the expression of connexin 26 (Cx26), encoded by GJB2, was significantly downregulated in psoriatic patients' plasma (p < 0.0001) and was negatively correlated with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) clinical score (r, -0.286; p = 0.036).


CONCLUSION
GJB2 is a potential candidate gene for hearing loss in psoriasis.