Identification of hub genes associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A pilot bioinformatics study

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is related to various extragastric diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the possible mechanisms connecting H. pylori infection and T2DM remain unknown. AIM To explore potential molecular connections between H. pylori infection and T2DM. METHODS We extracted gene expression arrays from three online datasets (GSE60427, GSE27411 and GSE115601). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) commonly present in patients with H. pylori infection and T2DM were identified. Hub genes were validated using human gastric biopsy samples. Correlations between hub genes and immune cell infiltration, miRNAs, and transcription factors (TFs) were further analyzed. RESULTS A total of 67 DEGs were commonly presented in patients with H. pylori infection and T2DM. Five significantly upregulated hub genes, including TLR4, ITGAM, C5AR1, FCER1G, and FCGR2A, were finally identified, all of which are closely related to immune cell infiltration. The gene-miRNA analysis detected 13 miRNAs with at least two gene cross-links. TF-gene interaction networks showed that TLR4 was coregulated by 26 TFs, the largest number of TFs among the 5 hub genes. CONCLUSION We identified five hub genes that may have molecular connections between H. pylori infection and T2DM. This study provides new insights into the pathogenesis of H. pylori-induced onset of T2DM.