Understanding Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases Through Gene Expression Profiling
Author Information
Author(s): Frank Mark Barton, Wang Shirley, Aggarwal Amita, Knowlton Nicholas, Jiang Kaiyu, Chen Yanmin, McKee Ryan, Chaser Brad, McGhee Timothy, Osban Jeanette, Jarvis James N
Primary Institution: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Hypothesis
Can gene expression profiling reveal the complex interactions in pediatric rheumatic diseases?
Conclusion
The study found that childhood onset rheumatic diseases exhibit complex immune interactions and scale-free network patterns similar to those in normal physiology.
Supporting Evidence
- Gene expression profiling provides insights into the complex interactions in pediatric rheumatic diseases.
- Scale-free network patterns were observed in the gene expression of both neutrophils and PBMC.
- Statistically significant differences in gene expression were found between patients and controls.
Takeaway
Researchers looked at blood samples from kids with arthritis and found that their genes behave in a way that is similar to healthy genes, which could help in finding better treatments.
Methodology
RNA was extracted from blood cells, and gene expression was analyzed using microarrays to compare children with rheumatic diseases to healthy controls.
Limitations
The models generated may not capture unknown gene interactions and rely on existing literature for known associations.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 3-18 years, including 12 females and 2 males with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and 9 females and 8 males with juvenile dermatomyositis.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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