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BMC Med Genomics
. 2025 Jan 2;18(1):2.
doi: 10.1186/s12920-024-02074-4. Integrative analyses of mendelian randomization and bioinformatics reveal casual relationship and genetic links between COVID-19 and knee osteoarthritis
Xiao Zheng # 1 , Jinhao Li # 2 , Qinfeng Ma 1 , Jianping Gong 2 , Jianbo Pan 3 4
Affiliations
Background: Clinical and epidemiological analyses have found an association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Infection with COVID-19 may increase the risk of developing KOA.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential causal relationship between COVID-19 and KOA using Mendelian randomization (MR) and to explore the underlying mechanisms through a systematic bioinformatics approach.
Methods: Our investigation focused on exploring the potential causal relationship between COVID-19, acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and KOA utilizing a bidirectional MR approach. Additionally, we conducted differential gene expression analysis using public datasets related to these three conditions. Subsequent analyses, including transcriptional regulation analysis, immune cell infiltration analysis, single-cell analysis, and druggability evaluation, were performed to explore potential mechanisms and prioritize therapeutic targets.
Results: The results indicate that COVID-19 has a one-way impact on KOA, while URTI does not play a causal role in this association. Ribosomal dysfunction may serve as an intermediate factor connecting COVID-19 with KOA. Specifically, COVID-19 has the potential to influence the metabolic processes of the extracellular matrix, potentially impacting the joint homeostasis. A specific group of genes (COL10A1, BGN, COL3A1, COMP, ACAN, THBS2, COL5A1, COL16A1, COL5A2) has been identified as a shared transcriptomic signature in response to KOA with COVID-19. Imatinib, Adiponectin, Myricetin, Tranexamic acid, and Chenodeoxycholic acid are potential drugs for the treatment of KOA patients with COVID-19.
Conclusions: This study uniquely combines Mendelian randomization and bioinformatics tools to explore the possibility of a causal relationship and genetic association between COVID-19 and KOA. These findings are expected to provide novel perspectives on the underlying biological mechanisms that link COVID-19 and KOA.
Keywords: Acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI); Bioinformatics analysis; COVID-19; Knee osteoarthritis (KOA); Mendelian randomization (MR).
. 2025 Jan 2;18(1):2.
doi: 10.1186/s12920-024-02074-4. Integrative analyses of mendelian randomization and bioinformatics reveal casual relationship and genetic links between COVID-19 and knee osteoarthritis
Xiao Zheng # 1 , Jinhao Li # 2 , Qinfeng Ma 1 , Jianping Gong 2 , Jianbo Pan 3 4
Affiliations
- PMID: 39748395
- PMCID: PMC11697936
- DOI: 10.1186/s12920-024-02074-4
Background: Clinical and epidemiological analyses have found an association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Infection with COVID-19 may increase the risk of developing KOA.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential causal relationship between COVID-19 and KOA using Mendelian randomization (MR) and to explore the underlying mechanisms through a systematic bioinformatics approach.
Methods: Our investigation focused on exploring the potential causal relationship between COVID-19, acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and KOA utilizing a bidirectional MR approach. Additionally, we conducted differential gene expression analysis using public datasets related to these three conditions. Subsequent analyses, including transcriptional regulation analysis, immune cell infiltration analysis, single-cell analysis, and druggability evaluation, were performed to explore potential mechanisms and prioritize therapeutic targets.
Results: The results indicate that COVID-19 has a one-way impact on KOA, while URTI does not play a causal role in this association. Ribosomal dysfunction may serve as an intermediate factor connecting COVID-19 with KOA. Specifically, COVID-19 has the potential to influence the metabolic processes of the extracellular matrix, potentially impacting the joint homeostasis. A specific group of genes (COL10A1, BGN, COL3A1, COMP, ACAN, THBS2, COL5A1, COL16A1, COL5A2) has been identified as a shared transcriptomic signature in response to KOA with COVID-19. Imatinib, Adiponectin, Myricetin, Tranexamic acid, and Chenodeoxycholic acid are potential drugs for the treatment of KOA patients with COVID-19.
Conclusions: This study uniquely combines Mendelian randomization and bioinformatics tools to explore the possibility of a causal relationship and genetic association between COVID-19 and KOA. These findings are expected to provide novel perspectives on the underlying biological mechanisms that link COVID-19 and KOA.
Keywords: Acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI); Bioinformatics analysis; COVID-19; Knee osteoarthritis (KOA); Mendelian randomization (MR).