Objective  Bioinformatics analysis was performed to screen and identify the underlying gene biomarkers in pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

Methods  GSE126124 dataset, the mRNA expression profile of inflammatory bowel disease, was downloaded from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. GEO2R was utilized to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between pediatric ulcerative colitis tissues and corresponding normal tissues in the dataset. Functional and pathway enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction analysis of DEGs were conducted using the DAVID and STRING database. The Cytoscape software was used to analyze protein-protein interaction network and hub genes. At last, the KEGG analyzed the biology and pathway enrichment of hub genes.

Results  A total of 153 DEGs were obtained, including 92 up-regulated and 61 down-regulated genes. Functional and pathway enrichment analysis showed that up-regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in the external stimulus, staphylococcus aureus infection and IL^-17 signaling pathway. Functional and pathway enrichment analysis showed that down-regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in the transport, membrane composition and metabolic pathway. Furthermore, 10 DEGs were considered hub genes, including Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Cxcl10, Cxcr2, Il1rn, Fcgr3a, Cxcr1, S100a12, Ido1 and Ccl24. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that hub genes were significantly enriched in the chemokines, the interaction between viral proteins and cytokines and receptors, epithelial cells infected by Helicobacter pylori, IL^-17 and TNF.

Conclusion  This research found 153 DEGs, in which 10 hub genes may play an important role in the occurrence and development of pediatric UC.

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