Bioinformatics analysis of degenerative meniscus in knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Meniscus degeneration is one of the manifestations of knee osteoarthritis, but its specific molecular mechanism is still not very clear. OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible molecular biological mechanism of meniscus degeneration in knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: A meniscus degeneration model was prepared in Wuzhishan pigs through resection of the anterior cruciate ligament. Gene chip technology was used to detect differentially expressed genes in degenerated meniscus tissue. Gene oncology analysis, pathway analysis, and core gene network analysis were performed to discover relevant regulatory networks. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 893 differentially expressed genes were detected in the study, of which cyp2c33, gcnt7, ncdn, exd3, MUC13, ppp1r3d, nphp3, upb1, CD81 and prph were differentially expressed most significantly. The regulation of nitric oxide biosynthetic process in gene oncology analysis, TRP channel in pathway analysis, and MDFI gene in core gene network analysis may play key roles to induce meniscus degeneration. In short, we have established a reliable animal model of meniscus degeneration, and more completely revealed the differentially expressed genes, biological processes and signal pathways related to meniscus degeneration after knee osteoarthritis. These will provide molecular targets for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease in the future.