Machine learning combined multi-omics analysis to explore key oxidative stress features in systemic lupus erythematosus

ObjectiveMetabolic dysregulation and redox imbalance in immune cells are key drivers of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. This study explores critical oxidative stress (OS) features and their interrelationships in SLE pathogenesis.MethodsThree transcriptomic datasets from the Gene Exp...

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Main Authors: Hongwei Zhou, Xiaoqing Li, Yanyu Zhang, Feng Wei, Zhiyu Liu, Yan Zhao, Xubo Zhuang, Xia Liu, Haizhou Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1567466/full
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author Hongwei Zhou
Xiaoqing Li
Yanyu Zhang
Feng Wei
Zhiyu Liu
Yan Zhao
Xubo Zhuang
Xia Liu
Haizhou Zhou
author_facet Hongwei Zhou
Xiaoqing Li
Yanyu Zhang
Feng Wei
Zhiyu Liu
Yan Zhao
Xubo Zhuang
Xia Liu
Haizhou Zhou
author_sort Hongwei Zhou
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveMetabolic dysregulation and redox imbalance in immune cells are key drivers of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. This study explores critical oxidative stress (OS) features and their interrelationships in SLE pathogenesis.MethodsThree transcriptomic datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed to identify SLE- and OS-associated pathways via Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA). Multiple machine learning methods—including deep learning (DL), random forest (RF), XGBoost, support vector machine (SVM), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)—were deployed to build OS-related gene prediction frameworks. Immune infiltration was assessed using CIBERSORT, and single-cell transcriptomic data from GEO elucidated gene expression patterns in various immune cell subsets. Peripheral blood plasma samples from confirmed SLE patients and healthy controls (HC) were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for metabolomics profiling and to evaluate OS and antioxidant stress (AOS) levels. Finally, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to validate the expression differences of key genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SLE patients and HC.ResultsGSVA identified 15 metabolic pathways significantly linked to SLE, seven of which were strongly associated with OS and energy metabolism. LC-MS revealed substantial alterations in serum OS-related metabolites, clearly distinguishing SLE patients from healthy controls. A comprehensive machine learning approach pinpointed 10 OS-related genes; among these, six (ABCB1, AKR1C3, EIF2AK2, IFIH1, NPC1, SCO2) showed robust predictive performance and significant correlations with immune cell subsets. Single-cell analysis confirmed these genes’ expression in diverse immune cell types, consistent with the observed metabolic pathway disruptions. RT-qPCR verified downregulation of ABCB1, AKR1C3, and NPC1 and upregulation of EIF2AK2, IFIH1, and SCO2 in SLE PBMCs. SLE patients exhibited higher OS levels and lower AOS levels. Correlation analysis underscored strong relationships among key genes, OS/AOS levels, and vital metabolites.ConclusionThis multi-omics and machine learning–based investigation uncovered major disruptions in OS-related metabolic pathways and metabolites in SLE, ultimately identifying six key genes with distinct expression patterns across immune cell subsets. Their strong associations with OS/AOS levels and crucial metabolites highlight their diagnostic and therapeutic potential, laying a foundation for early detection and targeted treatment strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-e4dc3e9481fe4ea5b4bc6c3d44eaea212025-08-20T03:31:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-06-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15674661567466Machine learning combined multi-omics analysis to explore key oxidative stress features in systemic lupus erythematosusHongwei ZhouXiaoqing LiYanyu ZhangFeng WeiZhiyu LiuYan ZhaoXubo ZhuangXia LiuHaizhou ZhouObjectiveMetabolic dysregulation and redox imbalance in immune cells are key drivers of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. This study explores critical oxidative stress (OS) features and their interrelationships in SLE pathogenesis.MethodsThree transcriptomic datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed to identify SLE- and OS-associated pathways via Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA). Multiple machine learning methods—including deep learning (DL), random forest (RF), XGBoost, support vector machine (SVM), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)—were deployed to build OS-related gene prediction frameworks. Immune infiltration was assessed using CIBERSORT, and single-cell transcriptomic data from GEO elucidated gene expression patterns in various immune cell subsets. Peripheral blood plasma samples from confirmed SLE patients and healthy controls (HC) were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for metabolomics profiling and to evaluate OS and antioxidant stress (AOS) levels. Finally, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to validate the expression differences of key genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SLE patients and HC.ResultsGSVA identified 15 metabolic pathways significantly linked to SLE, seven of which were strongly associated with OS and energy metabolism. LC-MS revealed substantial alterations in serum OS-related metabolites, clearly distinguishing SLE patients from healthy controls. A comprehensive machine learning approach pinpointed 10 OS-related genes; among these, six (ABCB1, AKR1C3, EIF2AK2, IFIH1, NPC1, SCO2) showed robust predictive performance and significant correlations with immune cell subsets. Single-cell analysis confirmed these genes’ expression in diverse immune cell types, consistent with the observed metabolic pathway disruptions. RT-qPCR verified downregulation of ABCB1, AKR1C3, and NPC1 and upregulation of EIF2AK2, IFIH1, and SCO2 in SLE PBMCs. SLE patients exhibited higher OS levels and lower AOS levels. Correlation analysis underscored strong relationships among key genes, OS/AOS levels, and vital metabolites.ConclusionThis multi-omics and machine learning–based investigation uncovered major disruptions in OS-related metabolic pathways and metabolites in SLE, ultimately identifying six key genes with distinct expression patterns across immune cell subsets. Their strong associations with OS/AOS levels and crucial metabolites highlight their diagnostic and therapeutic potential, laying a foundation for early detection and targeted treatment strategies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1567466/fullsystemic lupus erythematosusoxidative stressmetabolomicstranscriptomicssingle-cell transcriptomicmachine learning
spellingShingle Hongwei Zhou
Xiaoqing Li
Yanyu Zhang
Feng Wei
Zhiyu Liu
Yan Zhao
Xubo Zhuang
Xia Liu
Haizhou Zhou
Machine learning combined multi-omics analysis to explore key oxidative stress features in systemic lupus erythematosus
Frontiers in Immunology
systemic lupus erythematosus
oxidative stress
metabolomics
transcriptomics
single-cell transcriptomic
machine learning
title Machine learning combined multi-omics analysis to explore key oxidative stress features in systemic lupus erythematosus
title_full Machine learning combined multi-omics analysis to explore key oxidative stress features in systemic lupus erythematosus
title_fullStr Machine learning combined multi-omics analysis to explore key oxidative stress features in systemic lupus erythematosus
title_full_unstemmed Machine learning combined multi-omics analysis to explore key oxidative stress features in systemic lupus erythematosus
title_short Machine learning combined multi-omics analysis to explore key oxidative stress features in systemic lupus erythematosus
title_sort machine learning combined multi omics analysis to explore key oxidative stress features in systemic lupus erythematosus
topic systemic lupus erythematosus
oxidative stress
metabolomics
transcriptomics
single-cell transcriptomic
machine learning
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1567466/full
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