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Identification and Validation of Hub Genes Related to Meniscus Senescence Based on Gene Expression Profiling Analysis


 Background: The incidence of meniscal injury is on the rise, partly due to the general aging of the population. The compositional change in the meniscus with aging would increase the tissue vulnerability of the meniscus, which would induce meniscus tearing. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism of age-related meniscus degeneration with gene expression profiling analysis.Methods: The GSE45233 dataset, including 6 elderly meniscus samples and 6 younger meniscus samples, which were obtained from patients undergoing arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database for subsequent bioinformatics analysis. To screen the differential expression of mRNAs, identify the miRNAs targeting hub genes, and forecast the potentially toxic drugs, we completed a series of bioinformatics analyses, including functional and pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction network, hub genes screening, construction of a lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network, and molecular docking of potential drugs. Furthermore, hub genes were examined in human senescent menisci, mouse senescent meniscus tissues and mouse meniscus cells stimulated by IL-1β.Results: In total, the most significant 4 hub genes (RRM2, AURKB, CDK1, and TIMP1), 5 miRNAs (hsa-miR-6810-5p, hsa-miR-4676-5p, hsa-miR-6877-5p, hsa-miR-8085, and hsa-miR-6133) that could regulate such 4 hub genes and potential toxic drugs (Cladribine, Danusertib, Barasertib, Riviciclib, and Dinaciclib) that may have a targeting effect on these genes, were finally identified. The functional enrichment results showed that hub genes were mainly concentrated in aging and regulation of the cell cycle process. Further pathways enrichment analysis of these miRNA revealed that these miRNAs were involved in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans. The hub genes were decreased in meniscus cells in vitro and meniscus tissues in vivo, which indicated that hub genes were related to meniscus senescence.Conclusions: In a word, our current study would provide a basis for finding markers of the aging meniscus to a certain extent.