Identification of CCR7 as a potential biomarker in polycystic ovary syndrome through transcriptome sequencing and integrated bioinformatics

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder, yet its mechanisms remain elusive. This study employed transcriptome sequencing on granulosa cells from 5 PCOS women and 5 controls, followed by bioinformatic analyses. We identified 684 mRNAs and 167 lncRNAs with significant differential expression. Gene Ontology and KEGG analyses highlighted enrichment in immune and inflammatory responses among these genes. Through CytoHubba plug-in and three machine learning algorithms, CCR7 was identified as the hub gene of PCOS, further validated through analysis of GSE65746, GSE34526 and a cohort of eighty subjects (40 PCOS and 40 controls). Furthermore, a competing endogenous RNA network targeting CCR7 was constructed. Immune infiltration analysis unveiled a significant decrease in monocyte infiltration in PCOS women, with CCR7 expression positively correlated to naïve B cells. Our findings suggest CCR7 and related molecules play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PCOS, potentially serving as biomarkers for the disorder.