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Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 14411

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Interests: the relationship between enzyme structure and function; computer-aided drug design; computational structural biology; machine learning
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Network pharmacology is an emerging interdisciplinary field that integrates systems biology, network analysis, and pharmacology to explore the complex interactions between drugs, targets, and diseases. By analyzing the intricate networks of biological systems, network pharmacology aims to provide a holistic understanding of drug actions and their effects on the body, thereby addressing the multifaceted nature of diseases. This approach has revolutionized traditional drug discovery by shifting the focus from single-target to multi-target strategies, enabling the identification of novel therapeutic agents and the optimization of existing ones.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in network pharmacology methodologies and their applications in drug discovery and development. We welcome original research articles, review articles, and short communications on one or more of the following topics:

  1. Development, implementation, and application of network pharmacology databases;
  2. Development and application of new network analysis tools and algorithms;
  3. Integration of multi-omics data in network pharmacology studies;
  4. Construction, visualization, and analysis of drug–target interaction networks;
  5. Identification of novel drug targets and pathways through network pharmacology;
  6. Application of network pharmacology in understanding complex diseases and multi-target drug discovery;
  7. Development and application of computational models for predicting drug efficacy and safety;
  8. Case studies on the successful application of network pharmacology in drug discovery and repurposing.

We hope that this Special Issue will serve as an entry point for newcomers into the exciting world of network pharmacology as well as a valuable reference for more experienced practitioners in the field.

Prof. Dr. Weiwei Han
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • network pharmacology
  • machine learning
  • databases
  • drug discovery
  • computer-aided drug design (CADD)
  • data mining

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 5650 KiB  
Article
Uridine, a Therapeutic Nucleoside, Exacerbates Alcoholic Liver Disease via SRC Kinase Activation: A Network Toxicology and Molecular Dynamics Perspective
by Zhenyu Liu, Zhihao Wang, Jie Wang, Shiquan Xu and Tong Zhang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5473; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125473 - 7 Jun 2025
Viewed by 394
Abstract
This study looked into the underlying mechanisms and causal relationship between alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and the blood metabolite uridine using a variety of analytical methods, such as Mendelian randomization and molecular dynamics simulations. We discovered uridine to be a possible hepatotoxic agent [...] Read more.
This study looked into the underlying mechanisms and causal relationship between alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and the blood metabolite uridine using a variety of analytical methods, such as Mendelian randomization and molecular dynamics simulations. We discovered uridine to be a possible hepatotoxic agent aggravating ALD by using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis with genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from 1416 ALD cases and 217,376 controls, as well as with 1091 blood metabolites and 309 metabolite concentration ratios as exposure factors. According to network toxicology analysis, uridine interacts with important targets such as SRC, FYN, LYN, ADRB2, and GSK3B. The single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of ALD tissues revealed that SRC was upregulated in hepatocytes and activated hepatic stellate cells. Subsequently, we determined the stable binding between uridine and SRC through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (RMSD = 1.5 ± 0.3 Å, binding energy < −5.0 kcal/mol). These targets were connected to tyrosine kinase activity, metabolic reprogramming, and GPCR signaling by Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG studies. These findings elucidate uridine’s role in ALD progression via immunometabolic pathways, offering novel therapeutic targets for precision intervention. These findings highlight the necessity of systems biology frameworks in drug safety evaluation, particularly for metabolites with dual therapeutic and toxicological roles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery)
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21 pages, 4941 KiB  
Article
Inosine, AMP, and Vidarabine: Network Pharmacology and LC-MS Reveal Key Bioactive Compounds in Periplaneta americana for Ulcerative Colitis Management
by Yue Li, Zheng-Mei Shi, Yong He, Zu-Wei Xi, Yi-Hao Che, Hai-Rong Zhao, Cheng-Gui Zhang, Heng Liu and Kong-Fa Hu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125446 - 6 Jun 2025
Viewed by 294
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with unmet therapeutic needs. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Periplaneta americana L. extract (PAE) and its molecular mechanisms, integrating network pharmacology and experimental validation. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry identified 1355 compounds in PAE. [...] Read more.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with unmet therapeutic needs. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Periplaneta americana L. extract (PAE) and its molecular mechanisms, integrating network pharmacology and experimental validation. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry identified 1355 compounds in PAE. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that inosine, vidarabine, and adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) were core components and the core components synergistically regulated key targets and acted on inflammation-related pathways, thereby establishing a multi-target anti-inflammatory regulatory network. In vivo experiments demonstrated that these compounds significantly alleviated colitis symptoms in dextran sulfate sodium-induced mice, as evidenced by reduced disease activity index scores, preserved colonic mucosal architecture, and decreased inflammatory infiltration. Mechanistically, core compounds down-regulated granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/NOS2, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), while they up-regulated interleukin-10 (IL-10) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Additionally, they activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated pathways. Molecular docking analysis revealed that adenosine analogs preferentially bound to A1/A2a receptors, triggering signaling cascades essential for epithelial repair and inflammation resolution. This study established the multi-component, multi-pathway mechanism of PAE in UC, highlighting its dual role in suppressing inflammation and promoting mucosal healing. By bridging traditional herbal use with modern molecular insights, these findings provided a translational foundation for developing PAE-based therapies for UC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery)
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18 pages, 6738 KiB  
Article
Mechanism of Ginsenosides in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
by Shengnan Huang, Fangfang Li, Dedi Xue, Xinyuan Shi, Xizhu Fang, Jiawei Li, Yuan Fu, Yuqing Zhao and Dan Jin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 5300; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115300 - 30 May 2025
Viewed by 400
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and systemic metabolic dysregulation. Although ginsenosides, the primary bioactive components of Panax ginseng Meyer, exhibit regulatory effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, their precise mechanisms and key targets in DM remain [...] Read more.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and systemic metabolic dysregulation. Although ginsenosides, the primary bioactive components of Panax ginseng Meyer, exhibit regulatory effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, their precise mechanisms and key targets in DM remain incompletely understood. Unlike previous studies focusing solely on crude extracts or individual ginsenosides, this study integrates network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to systematically elucidate the multi-target mechanisms of ginsenosides, with experimental validation using the ginsenoside derivative AD-1. Network pharmacology identified 134 potential targets, with protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealing 25 core targets (such as NFKB1, HDAC1, ESR1, and EP300). Molecular docking and MD simulations showed that ginsenosides have stable binding conformations with these targets and exhibit excellent dynamic stability. Notably, in vivo experiments using AD-1 in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice confirmed its therapeutic efficacy, significantly downregulating key diabetic markers (e.g., NFKB1 and HDAC1) in pancreatic tissues—a finding unreported in prior studies. This study not only revealed the multitarget pharmacological mechanism of ginsenosides but also highlighted the therapeutic potential of AD-1. These findings provide a foundation for further mechanistic studies and suggest new strategies for the application of novel ginsenoside derivatives in diabetes therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery)
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22 pages, 6817 KiB  
Article
Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking-Based Approach to Explore Potential Bioactive Compounds from Kaempferia parviflora on Chemokine Signaling Pathways in the Treatment of Psoriasis Disease
by Chotiwit Sakuludomkan, Jittasak Khowsathit, Pilaiporn Thippraphan, Nut Koonrungsesomboon, Mingkwan Na Takuathung and Weerakit Taychaworaditsakul
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 5243; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115243 - 29 May 2025
Viewed by 425
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and dysregulated chemokine signaling. Kaempferia parviflora (KP) has long been valued for its medicinal properties; however, its specific role in psoriasis treatment remains unclear. This study investigates the anti-psoriatic potential of methoxyflavones [...] Read more.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and dysregulated chemokine signaling. Kaempferia parviflora (KP) has long been valued for its medicinal properties; however, its specific role in psoriasis treatment remains unclear. This study investigates the anti-psoriatic potential of methoxyflavones derived from KP through an integrated approach combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. A total of 232 target genes were identified as being associated with KP bioactive compounds, of which 64 overlapped with psoriasis-related genes implicated in chemokine signaling pathways. Molecular docking analyses revealed that key methoxyflavones interact with pivotal proteins such as protein kinase B (AKT1 or AKT), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase (SRC), and phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1), suggesting their potential involvement in modulating inflammation. Experimental results confirmed that 5,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone and 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone significantly inhibited keratinocyte proliferation, migration, and macrophage activation, key processes in psoriasis progression. Additionally, both compounds reduced nitric oxide production, supporting their anti-inflammatory effects. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that these compounds tended to decrease the phosphorylation levels of AKT and SRC, supporting their role in influencing inflammatory signaling pathways. These findings suggest that methoxyflavones from KP act through multi-target mechanisms, offering potential as natural therapeutic agents for psoriasis. Further, in vivo studies are needed to validate their efficacy and explore their clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery)
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22 pages, 5195 KiB  
Article
Therapeutic Mechanisms of Medicine Food Homology Plants in Alzheimer’s Disease: Insights from Network Pharmacology, Machine Learning, and Molecular Docking
by Shuran Wen, Ye Han, You Li and Dongling Zhan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2121; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052121 - 27 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 979
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a gradual decline in cognitive function. Currently, there are no effective treatments for this condition. Medicine food homology plants have gained increasing attention as potential natural treatments for AD because of their nutritional [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a gradual decline in cognitive function. Currently, there are no effective treatments for this condition. Medicine food homology plants have gained increasing attention as potential natural treatments for AD because of their nutritional value and therapeutic benefits. In this work, we aimed to provide a deeper understanding of how medicine food homology plants may help alleviate or potentially treat AD by identifying key targets, pathways, and small molecule compounds from 10 medicine food homology plants that play an important role in this process. Using network pharmacology, we identified 623 common targets between AD and the compounds from the selected 10 plants, including crucial proteins such as STAT3, IL6, TNF, and IL1B. Additionally, the small molecules from the selected plants were grouped into four clusters using hierarchical clustering. The ConPlex algorithm was then applied to predict the binding capabilities of these small molecules to the key protein targets. Cluster 3 showed superior predicted binding capabilities to STAT3, TNF, and IL1B, which was further validated by molecular docking. Scaffold analysis of small molecules in Cluster 3 revealed that those with a steroid-like core—comprising three fused six-membered rings and one five-membered ring with a carbon–carbon double bond—exhibited better predicted binding affinities and were potential triple-target inhibitors. Among them, MOL005439, MOL000953, and MOL005438 were identified as the top-performing compounds. This study highlights the potential of medicine food homology plants as a source of active compounds that could be developed into new drugs for AD treatment. However, further pharmacokinetic studies are essential to assess their efficacy and minimize side effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery)
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18 pages, 61277 KiB  
Article
Network Pharmacology and Bioinformatics Study of Six Medicinal Food Homologous Plants Against Colorectal Cancer
by Xinyue Zhao, Jian Xiu, Hengzheng Yang, Weiwei Han and Yue Jin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 930; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26030930 - 23 Jan 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2769
Abstract
Integrating network pharmacological analysis and bioinformatic techniques, this study systematically investigated the molecular mechanisms of six medicinal food homologous plants (Astragalus membranaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, Dioscorea opposite, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Pueraria lobata) against colorectal cancer. [...] Read more.
Integrating network pharmacological analysis and bioinformatic techniques, this study systematically investigated the molecular mechanisms of six medicinal food homologous plants (Astragalus membranaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, Dioscorea opposite, Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Pueraria lobata) against colorectal cancer. Through screening the TCMSP database, 303 active compounds and 453 drug targets were identified. By integrating differential expression gene analysis with WGCNA on the GSE41258 dataset from the GEO database, 49 potential therapeutic targets were identified. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses demonstrated that these targets are primarily involved in drug response, fatty acid metabolism, and key cancer-related pathways. Cross-validation using three machine learning algorithms—LASSO regression, SVM-RFE, and Random Forest—pinpointed four critical target genes: CA1, CCND1, CXCL2, and EIF6. Further, CIBERSORT immune infiltration analysis revealed strong associations between these core genes and the tumor immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer patients, notably in modulating M0 macrophage infiltration and mast cell activity. Molecular docking analyses confirmed robust binding interactions between active compounds and core target proteins. This study systematically elucidated the molecular mechanisms of six medicinal food homologous plants against colorectal cancer, providing scientific evidence for their rational clinical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery)
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20 pages, 15648 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Anti-Obesity Potential of Thunder God Vine: Network Pharmacology and Computational Insights into Celastrol-like Molecules
by Siyun Zheng, Hengzheng Yang, Jingxian Zheng, Yidan Wang, Bo Jia and Wannan Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12501; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312501 - 21 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1356
Abstract
Obesity, characterized by abnormal or excessive fat accumulation, has become a chronic degenerative health condition that poses significant threats to overall well-being. Pharmacological intervention stands at the forefront of strategies to combat this issue. Recent studies, notably by Umut Ozcan’s team, have uncovered [...] Read more.
Obesity, characterized by abnormal or excessive fat accumulation, has become a chronic degenerative health condition that poses significant threats to overall well-being. Pharmacological intervention stands at the forefront of strategies to combat this issue. Recent studies, notably by Umut Ozcan’s team, have uncovered the remarkable potential of Celastrol, a small-molecule compound derived from the traditional Chinese herb thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii) as an anti-obesity agent. In this research, computational chemical analysis was employed, incorporating the “TriDimensional Hierarchical Fingerprint Clustering with Tanimoto Representative Selection (3DHFC-TRS)” algorithm to systematically explore 139 active small molecules from thunder god vine. These compounds were classified into six categories, with a particular focus on Category 1 molecules for their exceptional binding affinity to obesity-related targets, offering new avenues for therapeutic development. Using advanced molecular docking techniques and Cytoscape prediction models, six representative Celastrol-like molecules were identified, namely 3-Epikatonic Acid, Hederagenin, Triptonide, Triptotriterpenic Acid B, Triptotriterpenic Acid C, and Ursolic Acid. These compounds demonstrated superior binding affinity and specificity toward two key obesity targets, PPARG and PTGS2, suggesting their potential to regulate fat metabolism and mitigate inflammatory responses. To further substantiate these findings, molecular dynamics simulations and MM-PBSA free-energy calculations were applied to analyze the dynamic interactions between these small molecules and the enzymatic active sites of their targets. The results provide robust theoretical evidence that support the feasibility of these molecules as promising candidates for anti-obesity therapies. This study underscores the power of the 3DHFC-TRS algorithm in uncovering bioactive compounds from natural sources, such as thunder god vine, and highlights the therapeutic promise of PPARG and PTGS2 as novel obesity-related targets. Furthermore, it emphasizes the essential role of computational science in expediting drug discovery, paving the way for personalized and precision-based treatments for obesity and heralding a future of more effective healthcare solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery)
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22 pages, 7373 KiB  
Article
Insights into the Therapeutic Potential of Active Ingredients of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium in Combatting Sarcopenia: An In Silico Approach
by Amin Ullah, Yacong Bo, Jiangtao Li, Jinjie Li, Pipasha Khatun, Quanjun Lyu and Guangning Kou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11451; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111451 - 25 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1603
Abstract
Sarcopenia is a systemic medical disorder characterized by a gradual decline in muscular strength, function, and skeletal muscle mass. Currently, there is no medication specifically approved for the treatment of this condition. Therefore, the identification of new pharmacological targets may offer opportunities for [...] Read more.
Sarcopenia is a systemic medical disorder characterized by a gradual decline in muscular strength, function, and skeletal muscle mass. Currently, there is no medication specifically approved for the treatment of this condition. Therefore, the identification of new pharmacological targets may offer opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The current in silico study investigated the active ingredients and the mode of action of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) in addressing sarcopenia. The active ingredients of CRP and the potential targets of CRP and sarcopenia were determined using various databases. The STRING platform was utilized to construct a protein–protein interaction network, and the key intersecting targets were enriched through the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses. Molecular docking was used to determine the binding interactions of the active ingredients with the hub targets. The binding affinities obtained from molecular docking were subsequently validated through molecular dynamics simulation analyses. Five active ingredients and 45 key intersecting targets between CRP and sarcopenia were identified. AKT1, IL6, TP53, MMP9, ESR1, NFKB1, MTOR, IGF1R, ALB, and NFE2L2 were identified as the hub targets with the highest degree node in the protein–protein interaction network. The results indicated that the targets were mainly enriched in PIK3-AKT, HIF-1, and longevity-regulating pathways. The active ingredients showed a greater interaction affinity with the hub targets, as indicated by the results of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Our findings suggest that the active ingredients of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, particularly Sitosterol and Hesperetin, have the potential to improve sarcopenia by interacting with AKT1 and MTOR proteins through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery)
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16 pages, 4414 KiB  
Article
Network Pharmacology Revealing the Therapeutic Potential of Bioactive Components of Triphala and Their Molecular Mechanisms against Obesity
by Ratchanon Inpan, Chotiwit Sakuludomkan, Mingkwan Na Takuathung and Nut Koonrungsesomboon
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910755 - 6 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2419
Abstract
Obesity, characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat, is a prevalent metabolic disorder that poses a significant global health concern. Triphala, an herbal combination consisting of Phyllanthus emblica Linn, Terminalia chebula Retz, and Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn) Roxb, has emerged as a potential solution [...] Read more.
Obesity, characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat, is a prevalent metabolic disorder that poses a significant global health concern. Triphala, an herbal combination consisting of Phyllanthus emblica Linn, Terminalia chebula Retz, and Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn) Roxb, has emerged as a potential solution for addressing concerns related to obesity. This study aimed to investigate the network pharmacology and molecular docking of Triphala to identify its bioactive ingredients and their interactions with pathways associated with obesity. The bioactive compounds present in Triphala and genes linked to obesity were identified, followed by an analysis of the protein-protein interaction networks. Enrichment analysis, including Gene Ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, was conducted. Prominent genes and compounds were selected for further investigation through molecular docking studies. The study revealed a close correlation between obesity and the AKT1 and PPARG genes. The observed binding energy between beta-sitosterol, 7-dehydrosigmasterol, peraksine, α-amyrin, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, ellagic acid, and phyllanthin with AKT1 and PPARG indicated a favorable binding affinity. In conclusion, nine compounds showed promise in regulating these genes for obesity prevention and management. Further research is required to validate their specific effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery)
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11 pages, 3207 KiB  
Article
Systemic Immune Factors and Risk of Allergic Contact Dermatitis: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
by Yingxin Long, Wenzhang Dai, Kexin Cai, Yuan Xiao, Anqi Luo, Ziwei Lai, Junlin Wang, Lipeng Xu and Hong Nie
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10436; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910436 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1844
Abstract
Skin inflammation and immune regulation have been suggested to be associated with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) progression, but whether the system’s immune regulation is a cause or a potential mechanism is still unknown. This study aims to assess the upstream and downstream of [...] Read more.
Skin inflammation and immune regulation have been suggested to be associated with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) progression, but whether the system’s immune regulation is a cause or a potential mechanism is still unknown. This study aims to assess the upstream and downstream of systemic immune factors on ACD within a bidirectional Mendelian-randomization design. A bidirectional two-sample MR analysis was employed to implement the results from genome-wide association studies for 52 system immune factors and ACD. Genetic associations with systemic immune factors and ACD were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project database. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was adopted as the primary MR analysis, MR-Egger, weighted median, MR-pleiotropy residual sum, and outlier (MR-PRESSO) was also used as the sensitivity analyses. Only Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11 (TNFS11) from among 52 systemic immune factors was associated with a protective effect of ACD. However, ACD was associated with a decrease in Interleukin-9 (IL9) and an increase in C-X-C motif chemokine 1 (GROα), Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 10 (TRAIL), C4, and complement factor B of the assessed systemic immune factors. This study identified TNFS11 as the upstream regulator and IL9, GROα, TRAIL, C4, and complement factor B as the downstream regulator of ACD, providing opportunities for new therapeutic exploitation of ACD. Nonetheless, these associations of systemic immune factors need to be verified in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Network Pharmacology: An Emerging Field in Drug Discovery)
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