Drug discovery in Rheumatoid Arthritis-induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

Abstract Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a common inflammatory disease, with osteonecrosis of the femoral head being one of its common complications. However, the treatment of "osteonecrosis of the femoral head " is limited with insufficient drug development. The aim of this study is to explore molecular pathways and core genes associated with rheumatoid arthritis-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head and investigate pharmacological targeting therapy for rheumatoid arthritis-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Methods: In this analysis, intersection genes involved with both " rheumatoid arthritis " and "osteonecrosis of the femoral head " were identified using the Gene-Cards database, followed by functional analysis. The software programs STRING Online and Cytoscape were used to build protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Upon completion of the drug-gene interaction study, core genes and potential medicines were identified. Results: The Gene-Cards database discovered a total of 110 genes overlapped by "rheumatoid arthritis " and "osteonecrosis of the femoral head ". Following functional analysis, 108 important genes were selected. Subsequently, PPI analysis revealed 29 genes that may be targeted by 12 medicines and were candidates to treat rheumatoid arthritis-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Conclusions: We used the Gene-Cards database and pathway analysis to identify highly related genes between " rheumatoid arthritis " and "osteonecrosis of the femoral head " and to explore potential therapeutic drugs. The following genes were investigated: HGF, MMP9, IL-1, EP300, SERPINC1, PLG, F5, and APOA1 are all involved in rheumatoid arthritis-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. It was found that fondaparinux, garcinol, canakinumab, and andecaliximab could be used as promising medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.