Screening of the Key Genes and Signalling Pathways for Diabetic Nephropathy Using Bioinformatics Analysis

Abstract

We identified four candidate genes: <i>FN1</i>, <i>C1QA</i>, <i>C1QB</i>, and <i>CD44</i>. On further investigating the biological functions of <i>FN1</i>, we showed that <i>FN1</i> was positively correlated with <i>THBS2</i>, <i>COL1A2</i>, <i>COL6A3</i>, and <i>CD44</i> and involved in the development of DN through the ECM-receptor interaction pathway. <i>THBS2</i>, <i>COL1A2</i>, <i>COL6A3</i>, and <i>CD44</i> may be novel biomarkers and target therapeutic candidates for DN.