Expression Profiling of Transcriptome and Its Associated Disease Risk in Yang Deficiency Constitution of Healthy Subjects

Abstract

Objectives. Differences among healthy subjects and associated disease risks are of substantial interest in clinical medicine. According to the theory of "constitution-disease correlation" in traditional Chinese medicine, we try to find out if there is any connection between intolerance of cold in Yang deficiency constitution and molecular evidence and if there is any gene expression basis in specific disorders. Methods. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from Chinese Han individuals with Yang deficiency constitution (n = 20) and balanced constitution (n = 8) (aged 18-28) and global gene expression profiles were determined between them using the Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 array. Results. The results showed that when the fold change was ≥1.2 and q ≤ 0.05, 909 genes were upregulated in the Yang deficiency constitution, while 1189 genes were downregulated. According to our research differential genes found in Yang deficiency constitution were usually related to lower immunity, metabolic disorders, and cancer tendency. Conclusion. Gene expression disturbance exists in Yang deficiency constitution, which corresponds to the concept of constitution and gene classification. It also suggests people with Yang deficiency constitution are susceptible to autoimmune diseases, enteritis, arthritis, metabolism disorders, and cancer, which provides molecular evidence for the theory of "constitution-disease correlation."

Figure 1

Clustering analysis of differentially expressed genes between Yang deficiency and balanced constitutions. Clustering analysis was performed using a hierarchical, average linkage algorithm. Red and green colors represent upregulation and downregulation, respectively.

Figure 2

The most significant enriched GO cluster of upregulated genes in Yang deficiency constitution compared to balanced constitution.

Figure 3

The most significant enriched GO cluster of downregulated genes in Yang deficiency constitution compared to balanced constitution.

Figure 4

Go Tree. The significant enriched GO cluster of up- and downregulated genes in Yang deficiency constitution compared to balanced constitution. The red color indicates the upregulated function while the green color the downregulated function. The yellow color shows the differential genes, either upregulated or downregulated ones.

Figure 5

IPA canonical pathway analysis. The significant enriched pathway cluster of downregulated genes in Yang deficiency constitution compared to balanced constitution.

Figure 6

IPA canonical pathway analysis. The significant enriched pathway cluster of upregulated genes In Yang deficiency constitution compared to balanced constitution.