Exploring Transcriptional Relationships Implicated in Autism and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Using Systems Biology Approaches

Introduction: Understanding the association among various disorders has remarkably improved their diagnosis and therapies. It has been observed that autism and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) cause a sort of inflammation. Exploring the relationship between them will lead to discovering important involved genes and in turn will eventually help discover any possible common therapeutic protocols. The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and IBDs. Materials and Methods: The common genes associated with autism spectrum disorders and IBDs were retrieved from DisGeNET. SFARI and TRRUST databases were subjected to an in-silico data analysis framework to explore predictive genes and the related pathways. Results: Eleven genes including HLA-DRB1, MTHFR, PON1, IL6, MTOR, SETD2, GSTM1, APC, IFNG, SERPINE1 and MAPK1 regulated by YY1 and IRF1 transcription factors were characterized as discriminating molecules which by further screening were enriched in pathways mostly involved in neutrophil apoptosis, neutrophil homeostasis, chemokine biosynthesis and the regulation of immune system response. Conclusions: According to findings it can be stated that the identified common genes were associated with a wide range of pathogenic mechanisms.