Identification of the Potential Key Genes and Pathways Involved in Lens Changes of High Myopia

Aim: High myopia (HM) is a global problem; however, the molecular pathogenesis of HM underlying lens remains largely unknown. The aims of the present study were to identify the potential key genes and pathways involved in lens changes of HM. Methods: Gene set enrichment analysis was carried out to identify the HM-specific pathway gene sets. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in lens epithelia of HM eyes compared to emmetropic control were screened using limma R package. A DEG-based protein-protein interaction network was constructed and used to identify hub genes and gene cluster analysis. The functional enrichment analysis was performed to reveal the potential biological functions for each gene cluster. Results: Multiple metabolism-related pathways were significantly enriched in lens epithelia of HM. The expression patterns of DEGs could accurately distinguish HM and emmetropic and CD34, CD40, EGF, IL1A, CD40LG, and CXCL12 maybe the potential key genes involved in HM. Three gene clusters were identified and involved in distinct pathways. MAPK signaling pathway and calcium signaling pathway were considered the key pathways involved in lens changes of HM, due to two gene clusters both involve in these two pathways. Conclusion: We identified potential key genes in pathological lens growth of HM eyes and proposed that the imbalances of MAPK signaling pathway and calcium signaling pathway may be the two crucial steps of pathological lens growth in HM.