Exploring the Interactions Between Mitochondria-Related Genes and the Immune Microenvironment in Sepsis: A Bioinformatics Study

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is a critical condition with a high mortality rate, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Mitochondria and immune inflammation play key roles in sepsis, but their interactions are not well characterized. In this study, we used bioinformatics to explore the interactions between mitochondria-related genes and the immune microenvironment in sepsis.

Methods: We obtained mRNA expression profile datasets from NCBI GEO and analyzed them to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We then identified mitochondria-associated DEGs (MitoDEGs) by crossing the DEGs with mitochondrial line-associated genes. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Gene and Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed to investigate the role of MitoDEGs in sepsis. We constructed a protein‒protein interaction (PPI) network and identified central MitoDEGs associated with sepsis. Additionally, we used NetworkAnalyst to predict transcription factors and construct a ceRNA regulatory network to predict miRNAs and lncRNAs interacting with MitoDEGs. We also analyzed the pattern of immune infiltration in sepsis and investigated the relationship between MitoDEGs and immune cell infiltration.

Results: We identified 49 MitoDEGs, with PPI network analysis revealing 10 hub genes. We constructed a ceRNA network predicting miRNAs and lncRNAs interacting with key genes. Immunoassays showed changes in immune cell infiltration in the sepsis microenvironment, and Spearman analysis revealed significant correlations between hub MitoDEGs and specific immune cell types.

Conclusions: Our study provides insights into the interaction between mitochondrial metabolism and the immune microenvironment in sepsis. These findings may help identify new targets for medical intervention in sepsis.