Exploring heat shock protein-related biomarkers and subgroups in osteoarthritis using Gene Expression Omnibus data sets

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease marked by cartilage deterioration. Recent studies suggest that heat shock proteins (HSPs) may play a role in the pathophysiology of OA. This study explores the role of heat shock protein-related genes (HSRs) in OA using GEO datasets (GSE12021, GSE55457, GSE55235). Differential expression analysis identified 34 HSRs with significant changes in OA. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis highlighted central HSRs, including HSPA5, HSPA6, HSPA1L, HSPA12 A, and HSPH1, indicating their key roles in OA. Enrichment analysis revealed that HSRs are involved in protein folding, chaperone activities, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. A nomogram developed from HSR expression profiles demonstrated high accuracy in predicting OA risk. Clustering analysis identified two distinct HSR-related subgroups with unique gene expression and immune profiles. Variations in immune cell infiltration and immune pathway activities were observed between these subgroups. Overall, the study underscores the significance of HSRs in OA pathogenesis and suggests potential personalized therapeutic strategies based on distinct HSR-related subgroups.