Integration of transcriptomic data identifies CD163 as a key link between chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and COVID-19

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence has highlighted a potential link between chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the exact mechanism driving this association is not well understood. We aimed to explore the biological pathways and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in CRSwNP and COVID-19 by performing bioinformatic analyses. METHODS: Data from the GEO database was analyzed using the "limma" package to identify DEGs. Techniques like weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and machine learning were employed to pinpoint key genes. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to assess immune cell infiltration. Key gene expression in macrophages was verified using single-cell analysis and immunofluorescence. Genetranscription factor-microRNA (gene-TF-miRNA) regulatory networks were constructed via NetworkAnalyst. Potential therapeutic agents were identified through DGIdb. Nasal polyps and control nasal tissues were surgically obtained for validation purposes. RESULTS: The findings revealed 19 co-DEGs common to both CRSwNP and COVID-19, which were enriched in pathways related to inflammation and the immune response. Among these genes, CD163 was identified as the key gene. The infiltration of CD163+ macrophages was substantially greater in the nasal tissues of CRSwNP and COVID-19 patients than in those of control subjects. Fluticasone was determined to be a promising drug that targets CD163. CONCLUSION: This study highlights CD163 as a promising diagnostic marker for CRSwNP and COVID-19, suggesting that targeting CD163 may be pivotal in the management of these conditions.