Identification of peroxiredoxin II and its related molecules as potential biomarkers of dermal mesenchymal stem cell homing using network analysis

Abstract

In this study, we performed RNA sequencing of Prx II+/+ and Prx II？/？dermal mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). To explore the role of Prx II in DMSCs, we performed Gene Ontology analysis of the DEGs. The results showed that the DEGs were mainly involved in the biological processes of cell migration, intercellular adhesion, and coordination of the regulation of stem cell homing. Through the construction of protein-protein interaction network, four hub genes Cd274, Ccl5, Il1b, and Stat1 involved in cell adhesion and cell homing were screened. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis showed that Cd274, Ccl5, Il1b, and Stat1 were down regulated in Prx II？/？DMSCs. miRwalk and Starbase databases were further used to screen the upstream molecules miRNA and lncRNA regulating hub gene. Prx II was found to be involved in the regulation of stem cell homing via the Tctn2/miR-351/Stat1/Il1b axis. Thus, we demonstrated that Prx II is a key molecule in the regulation of the homing ability of DMSCs. Our results provide a theoretical foundation for improving the homing ability of DMSCs by targeting Prx II.