Identification of key proteins and pathways in myocardial infarction using machine learning approaches

Abstract Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, requiring deeper insights into its molecular mechanisms for improved diagnosis and treatment. This study combines proteomics, transcriptomics and machine learning (ML) to identify key proteins and pathwa...

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Main Authors: Chang Liu, Xing Zhang, Qian Xie, Binbin Fang, Fen Liu, Junyi Luo, Gulandanmu Aihemaiti, Wei Ji, Yining Yang, Xiaomei Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04401-w
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author Chang Liu
Xing Zhang
Qian Xie
Binbin Fang
Fen Liu
Junyi Luo
Gulandanmu Aihemaiti
Wei Ji
Yining Yang
Xiaomei Li
author_facet Chang Liu
Xing Zhang
Qian Xie
Binbin Fang
Fen Liu
Junyi Luo
Gulandanmu Aihemaiti
Wei Ji
Yining Yang
Xiaomei Li
author_sort Chang Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, requiring deeper insights into its molecular mechanisms for improved diagnosis and treatment. This study combines proteomics, transcriptomics and machine learning (ML) to identify key proteins and pathways associated with AMI. Plasma samples from 48 AMI patients and 50 healthy controls (HC) were used for proteomic sequencing. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified and analyzed for pathway enrichment. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed, and we conducted a meta-analysis (GSE60993, GSE61144, GSE48060) using an inverse variance model to combine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified via LIMMA and FDR adjustment across three studies. Clustering and co-expression analysis were performed using K-Medoids and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). ML feature selection identified hub proteins, which were validated across bulk, single-cell, and spatial datasets for atherosclerosis (ATH) and MI. In this study, we identified 437 DEPs with 291 up-regulated and 146 down-regulated proteins. Functional enrichment analysis revealed key pathways involved in inflammation, immunity, metabolism, and cellular stress responses, among others. Using non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF) and K-Medoids clustering, AMI patients were divided into two clusters (C1 and C2), with distinct protein expression patterns and inflammatory responses. Differential analysis between clusters revealed 200 cluster-specific DEPs, with C1 associated with angiogenesis and vascular remodeling, and C2 linked to cellular stress and apoptosis. A meta-analysis identified 1383 DEGs, and their intersection with DEPs yielded 63 proteins, which were subsequently refined by logistic regression to 36 AMI-associated proteins. Furthermore, a protein co-expression network analysis identified 49 modules, with the turquoise module being strongly associated with AMI highlighting pathways in lipid metabolism, immune response, and tissue repair. From this module, 17 key proteins were selected, and ML further distilled these to nine core features (CAMP, CLTC, CTNNB1, FUBP3, IQGAP1, MANBA, ORM1, PSME1, and SPP1) that are closely linked to immune regulation, apoptosis, and metabolism. These proteins were validated across multiple datasets. Single-cell analysis revealed distinct expression patterns of these proteins across cell types and spatial regions in ATH and MI, emphasizing their roles in inflammation, vascular remodeling, and plaque instability. This study identifies critical proteins and pathways in AMI, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The use of ML provides a robust framework for identifying AMI’s key molecular.
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spelling doaj-art-27ab543e6cc44999be1f2a646d52c6cd2025-08-20T02:05:13ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111910.1038/s41598-025-04401-wIdentification of key proteins and pathways in myocardial infarction using machine learning approachesChang Liu0Xing Zhang1Qian Xie2Binbin Fang3Fen Liu4Junyi Luo5Gulandanmu Aihemaiti6Wei Ji7Yining Yang8Xiaomei Li9Department of Cardiology, The first Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, The first Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, The first Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, The first Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, The first Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, The first Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, The first Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, The first Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous RegionDepartment of Cardiology, The first Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityAbstract Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, requiring deeper insights into its molecular mechanisms for improved diagnosis and treatment. This study combines proteomics, transcriptomics and machine learning (ML) to identify key proteins and pathways associated with AMI. Plasma samples from 48 AMI patients and 50 healthy controls (HC) were used for proteomic sequencing. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified and analyzed for pathway enrichment. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed, and we conducted a meta-analysis (GSE60993, GSE61144, GSE48060) using an inverse variance model to combine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified via LIMMA and FDR adjustment across three studies. Clustering and co-expression analysis were performed using K-Medoids and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). ML feature selection identified hub proteins, which were validated across bulk, single-cell, and spatial datasets for atherosclerosis (ATH) and MI. In this study, we identified 437 DEPs with 291 up-regulated and 146 down-regulated proteins. Functional enrichment analysis revealed key pathways involved in inflammation, immunity, metabolism, and cellular stress responses, among others. Using non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF) and K-Medoids clustering, AMI patients were divided into two clusters (C1 and C2), with distinct protein expression patterns and inflammatory responses. Differential analysis between clusters revealed 200 cluster-specific DEPs, with C1 associated with angiogenesis and vascular remodeling, and C2 linked to cellular stress and apoptosis. A meta-analysis identified 1383 DEGs, and their intersection with DEPs yielded 63 proteins, which were subsequently refined by logistic regression to 36 AMI-associated proteins. Furthermore, a protein co-expression network analysis identified 49 modules, with the turquoise module being strongly associated with AMI highlighting pathways in lipid metabolism, immune response, and tissue repair. From this module, 17 key proteins were selected, and ML further distilled these to nine core features (CAMP, CLTC, CTNNB1, FUBP3, IQGAP1, MANBA, ORM1, PSME1, and SPP1) that are closely linked to immune regulation, apoptosis, and metabolism. These proteins were validated across multiple datasets. Single-cell analysis revealed distinct expression patterns of these proteins across cell types and spatial regions in ATH and MI, emphasizing their roles in inflammation, vascular remodeling, and plaque instability. This study identifies critical proteins and pathways in AMI, offering potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The use of ML provides a robust framework for identifying AMI’s key molecular.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04401-wAcute myocardial infarctionProteomicsFunctional enrichment analysisMachine learningSingle-cell sequencing
spellingShingle Chang Liu
Xing Zhang
Qian Xie
Binbin Fang
Fen Liu
Junyi Luo
Gulandanmu Aihemaiti
Wei Ji
Yining Yang
Xiaomei Li
Identification of key proteins and pathways in myocardial infarction using machine learning approaches
Scientific Reports
Acute myocardial infarction
Proteomics
Functional enrichment analysis
Machine learning
Single-cell sequencing
title Identification of key proteins and pathways in myocardial infarction using machine learning approaches
title_full Identification of key proteins and pathways in myocardial infarction using machine learning approaches
title_fullStr Identification of key proteins and pathways in myocardial infarction using machine learning approaches
title_full_unstemmed Identification of key proteins and pathways in myocardial infarction using machine learning approaches
title_short Identification of key proteins and pathways in myocardial infarction using machine learning approaches
title_sort identification of key proteins and pathways in myocardial infarction using machine learning approaches
topic Acute myocardial infarction
Proteomics
Functional enrichment analysis
Machine learning
Single-cell sequencing
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04401-w
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