ANXA2, PRKCE, and OXT are critical differentially genes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Aim: Identification of prominent genes which are involved in onset and progress of steatosis stage of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the aim of this study. Background: NAFLD is characterized by accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes. The patients with steatosis (the first stage of NAFLD) will come across nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and finally hepatic cirrhosis. There is correlation between cirrhosis and hepatic cancer. However, ultrasonography is used to diagnose NAFLD, biopsy is the precise diagnostic method. Methods: Gene expression profiles of 14 steatosis patients and 14 controls are retrieved from gene expression omnibus (GEO) and after statistical validation top 250 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined. The characterized DEGs were included in network analysis and the central DEGs were identified. Gene ontology (GO) performed by ClueGO analysis of DEGs to determine critical biological terms. Role of prominent DEGs in steatosis is discussed in details. Results: Numbers of 31 significant DEGs including 20 up-regulated and 11 down-regulated ones were determined. Nine biological groups including 27 terms were recognized. Negative regulation of low-density lipoprotein particle receptor catabolic process, TRAMdependent toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and regulation of hindgut contraction which were related to ANXA2, PRKCE, and OXT respectively were determined as critical biological term groups and DEGS. Conclusion: Deregulation of ANXA2, PRKCE, and OXT is a critical event in steatosis. It seems these three genes are suitable biomarker to diagnosis of steatosis.