Identification of NETs-related genes as diagnostic biomarkers in ischemic stroke using RNA sequencing and single-cell analysis.

Abstract

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are increasingly recognized for their involvement in ischemic stroke (IS), yet their precise contribution to IS outcomes is not fully understood. This study aims to elucidate the role of NETs in IS progression and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this study, mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). RNA sequencing was conducted on brain tissue samples to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the "limma" package. The diagnostic potential of these biomarkers was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing data were analyzed with the Seurat package to further investigate the cellular dynamics. We identified DEGs, and NETs-related genes associated with IS progression. Specifically, Ceacam3, Tnf, Selp, and Fcgr4 were found to be upregulated in MCAO samples, exhibiting diagnostic value as biomarkers for IS. Immune infiltration analysis indicated associations between these genes and various immune cell types. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed their involvement in IS-related pathways, including ferroptosis, IL-17 signaling, leukocyte transendothelial migration, necroptosis, and NETs formation. Single-cell data confirmed the expression of Tnf, Selp, and Fcgr4 in neutrophils. CellChat analysis uncovered key cell-cell interactions in IS, emphasizing the role of neutrophils in communicating with microglia and T cells via the JAM pathway, with Thbs1 and Cd47 as key mediators. The findings provide insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying IS and may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting NETs in IS patients.