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Bioinformatics integration reveals key genes associated with mitophagy in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders volume 24, Article number: 183 (2024) Cite this article

Background

Myocardial ischemia is a prevalent cardiovascular disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While prompt restoration of blood flow is essential for improving patient outcomes, the subsequent reperfusion process can result in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury (MIRI). Mitophagy, a specialized autophagic mechanism, has consistently been implicated in various cardiovascular disorders. However, the specific connection between ischemia–reperfusion and mitophagy remains elusive. This study aims to elucidate and validate central mitophagy-related genes associated with MIRI through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

We acquired the microarray expression profile dataset (GSE108940) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using GEO2R. Subsequently, these DEGs were cross-referenced with the mitophagy database, and differential nucleotide sequence analysis was performed through enrichment analysis. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was employed to identify hub genes, followed by clustering of these hub genes using cytoHubba and MCODE within Cytoscape software. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted on central genes. Additionally, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses were conducted to validate the expression patterns of pivotal genes in MIRI rat model and H9C2 cardiomyocytes.

Results

A total of 2719 DEGs and 61 mitophagy-DEGs were identified, followed by enrichment analyses and the construction of a PPI network. HSP90AA1, RPS27A, EEF2, EIF4A1, EIF2S1, HIF-1α, and BNIP3 emerged as the seven hub genes identified by cytoHubba and MCODE of Cytoscape software. Functional clustering analysis of HIF-1α and BNIP3 yielded a score of 9.647, as determined by Cytoscape (MCODE). In our MIRI rat model, Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses confirmed a significant elevation in the expression of HIF-1α and BNIP3, accompanied by a notable increase in the ratio of LC3II to LC3I. Subsequently, qPCR confirmed a significant upregulation of HIF-1α, BNIP3, and LC3 mRNA in the MIRI group. Activation of the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway mediates the regulation of the degree of Mitophagy, thereby effectively reducing apoptosis in rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions

This study has identified seven central genes among mitophagy-related DEGs that may play a pivotal role in MIRI, suggesting a correlation between the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway of mitophagy and the pathogenesis of MIRI. The findings highlight the potential importance of mitophagy in MIRI and provide valuable insights into underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for further exploration in future studies.

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Introduction

Myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a prevalent occurrence in cardiac diseases, referring to the damage caused by inadequate blood supply during ischemia and further exacerbated upon reperfusion [1, 2]. IRI occurs in situations such as cardiac surgery, coronary artery disease, and heart transplantation, which is closely associated with pathophysiological processes, including myocardial cell injury, inflammatory response and oxidative stress [3]. Studies have found that myocardium undergoes various types of damage during ischemia–reperfusion, including cell membrane rupture, mitochondrial dysfunction [4], oxidative stress and activation of inflammatory response, leading to cardiomyocyte death, tissue necrosis, inflammation and myocardial dysfunction [5, 6].

Numerous studies have been dedicated to unraveling the mechanisms of IRI to identify new therapeutic strategies [7]. Among these strategies, targeting mitophagy as a cellular self-repair mechanism has received significant attention. Mitophagy is a lysosome-mediated autophagic process that involves engulfing damaged or aged mitochondria for degradation, thereby maintaining a healthy mitochondrial status and cellular bioenergetics [8]. In neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, improper regulation of mitophagy can lead to the clustering of many damaged mitochondria and a subsequent decrease in mitochondrial function [9, 10]. These damaged mitochondria release higher levels of free radicals and cytotoxic substances, causing neuronal cell damage and apoptosis, which accelerates the progression of the disease [11]. Mitophagy plays a multifaceted role in tumorigenesis and therapy. In some cases, it promotes tumor cell survival and growth, thereby facilitating tumor progression [12, 13]. However, other studies have demonstrated that mitophagy in tumor cells may have cytotoxic effects, offering a potential novel strategy for antitumor therapy [14]. Moreover, mitophagy also significantly influences metabolic diseases. In the context of stroke, mitophagy has been found to play a pivotal role in protecting brain cells from ischemia–reperfusion injury [15, 16]. Moderately induced mitophagy effectively removes damaged mitochondria, reduces intracellular oxidative stress, and mitigates cell death, ultimately helping to limit stroke-induced brain tissue damage [17]. Overall, understanding the complex role of mitophagy in various diseases can pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches and shed light on potential treatment strategies.

Currently, research on mitophagy in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion is relatively limited. To fill this gap, we employed bioinformatics and experimental research to identify DEGs in MIRI rats. To our knowledge, this is the first study to utilize bioinformatics and machine learning algorithms to research the effects of mitophagy on MIRI. It provides insights for new therapeutic strategies and lays a solid theoretical groundwork for forthcoming pioneering investigations.

Materials and methods

Data source

GSE108940 was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (http://0-www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.brum.beds.ac.uk/geo). GSE108940 consists of 24 groups, from which 6 sham groups and 6 I/R groups were selected for analysis. The sham groups consisted of rats that underwent sham surgery, while the I/R groups consisted of rats with myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury models. Mitophagy-related genes were obtained from Genecards (https://www.genecards.org/Search/Keyword?queryString=mitophagy), which included 5642 genes associated with mitosis. However, we only selected 358 relevant genes using a filtering mechanism with a correlation score ≥ 2 times the median. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) enables new variables to capture as many features of the original variables as possible while reducing dimensionality. Using the GEO2R analysis tool, we obtained DEGs with a statistical cutoff criteria of |logFC|> 0.58 and P.adj < 0.05. We then employed the ggplot function in R software to create heatmaps and volcano plots that depict data. The data processing workflow is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1
figure 1

The analysis workflow flowchart

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Identification of DEGs and mitophagy-DEGs

GEO2R (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/ge2r) is a online analysis tool that utilizes the GEO query and Limma packages. We used GEO2R with a P.adj < 0.05 and |logFC|> 0.58 to identify DEGs. We then constructed VEEN diagrams to visualize the DEGs related to mitophagy among the identified 2719 DEGs and 358 mitophagy-related genes. The Venn diagram was created using the online tool available at the Venn website (http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/Webtools/Venn/).

Functional enrichment analysis

We employed GO (Gene Ontology) and the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) for gene regulation and function analysis. This analysis was conducted by the clusterProfiler package (version 4.4.4) with a significance cutoff of P.adj < 0.05. Finally, we visualized the functional enrichment analysis results with the GO plot and ggplot packages in R software (version 4.2.1).

GSEA enrichment analysis

We conducted hub gene enrichment analysis using GSEA (version 4.1.0), which distinguishes itself from traditional methods by enabling gene expression assessment in different subgroups and providing associated enrichment messages. For the analysis, we selected the c2.all.v2022.1.Hs.symbols.gmt [Curated/Pathway] (6449) database and performed 1000 permutations using a phenotype permutation method, while keeping all other settings at their default values. Gene pathways exhibiting |NES|> 1, p < 0.05, and FDR < 0.01 were deemed statistically significant.

PPI network and hub gene analysis

The STRING is a dependable database utilized to explore protein relationships, encompassing direct binding interactions and regulatory pathways. For protein interaction analysis and identification of crucial protein genes associated with mitophagy-DEGs, we built a PPI network using STRING, considering interactions with a score > 0.4. PPI network was generated through Cytoscape version 3.8.2 [18], and significant modules were identified using MCODE, a Cytoscape plugin that applies specific criteria including degree cut-off = 2, MCODE scores > 5, max depth = 100, k-score = 2, and node score cutoff = 0.2. Lastly, we performed cytoHubba analysis to identify hub genes by applying the MCC method to rank the top six genes in the network.

Animals and H9C2 cardiomyocytes model

SPF-rated male SD rats (8 weeks old, weighing 220 ± 20 g) were purchased from Changchun Yisi Experimental Animal Technology Co Ltd (Jilin, China) under license No. SCXK (Ji) -2020–0002. Rat H9C2 myocardial cells (batch number: STCC30008G) were procured from Servicebio Technology Co., Ltd., located in Wuhan, China. All rats were housed in the SPF-rated rat rearing room at the Animal Centre of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and were kept under standard conditions: 25 °C, 12 h dark/light cycle. Animal studies were conducted following the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. They were approved by the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2022526).

Rats were divided into Sham and MIRI groups according to random number table method after 7 days of acclimatization feeding. Twenty-four hours after the last feeding, rats were anaesthetised by inhalation with 3% isoflurane (1 L/minute) prior to surgery, with 1% isoflurane as a maintenance dose [19]. The surgical site was meticulously disinfected using a solution of 70% ethanol combined with povidone-iodine, the rats' II-lead ECG was collected with an ECG machine, and the trachea was cut and connected to a ventilator [20]. The trachea was cut and connected to the ventilator. The skin was incised longitudinally at the left edge of the sternum, the tissues were sequentially separated to expose the heart, and ligation of the left coronary artery at the midsection of the left anterior descending (LAD) branch. The success of the ligation was determined by an elevated T-wave or ST-segment elevation in lead II, a darkening of the heart surface below the ligature line and a weakened pulsation. Ligation for 30 min, followed by perfusion for 120 min. In Sham group, the same anesthetic opening method was used as above, but only the wire was threaded, not ligated.

Rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes in the logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into control (Con) group, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) group, and YC-1 (HIF-1α inhibitor,S7958, Selleck, China) group. The Con group served as the untreated control. In the H/R group, cells were subjected to 4 h of hypoxia followed by 2 h of reoxygenation in tri-gas incubator (E5018,Beyotime, China) to establish the hypoxia/reoxygenation model [21]. The YC-1 group involved establishing the H/R model under the condition of HIF-1α inhibition.

Tissue collecting and processing

After completing the perfusion in the MIRI group, changes in their electrocardiogram were observed, followed by the collection of myocardial tissue from both the MIRI and sham group rats. Twelve samples from MIRI and Sham rats were used for TTC staining, HE staining, western blot, immunofluorescence and qPCR analysis.

Assessment of myocardial tissue by HE and TTC

HE staining was employed to assess the myocardial tissue following standard protocols. The infarcted region of the heart tissue was excised.After paraffin embedding, the tissue was serially sectioned into 0.5 μm-thick slices. Subsequently dewaxed, hydrated, stained and sealed. Images were captured using light microscope at 40 × 10 magnification, and the results were analyzed.

TTC staining was employed to assess myocardial infarction severity. After obtaining rat heart samples, the hearts were washed with 4 °C PBS and placed in a -80 °C freezer for 15 min. Subsequently, the frozen hearts were removed, myocardial tissues were placed in heart molds, and the thickness was adjusted to 2 mm for slicing. These slices were then immersed in a 2% TTC solution and incubated at 37 °C in a light-protected incubator for 15 to 30 min for staining. After staining, the samples were fixed with a 10% formaldehyde solution. Photographs were taken after 24 h and the infarct area was calculated.

Western blotting

Western Blot detected expression of HIF-1α, BNIP3, LC3-II, and LC3-I. Each group took 0.3 g of cardiac tissue, added 1 ml of RIPA lysis buffer (P0013B, Beyotime, China) and homogenized using an electric homogenizer. The mixture was centrifuged at 12000 r/min for 12 min at 4℃, and supernatant was carefully retrieved. Protein concentration was determined using the BCA protein quantification method. Protein concentration was adjusted using the loading buffer (P0015, Beyotime, China) and lysis buffer, and 10 μg of protein was loaded. Electrophoresis was conducted consistently at 80 V for a duration of 2.5 h, and electrophoresis was stopped when Bromophenol blue reached the bottom of the gel [22]. Transferring was done by cutting the target bands according to the protein marker. Blocking was performed by shaking with blocking solution (P0216-300 g, Beyotime, China) for 1 h. After blocking, the membrane was washed 5 times with TBST (T1086, Solarbio, China) for 3 min each. The PVDF membrane (IPVH00010, Merck, Germany) was incubated with the primary antibody (anti-HIF-1α, GB111339, anti-BNIP3, GB111204, anti-LC3 A/B, GB11124, Servicebio, China) solution at 4 °C overnight, followed by immersion in the secondary antibody (anti-rabbit,bs-80295G-HRP,Bioss,China) solution and shaking for 60 min. Imaging in gel imaging system, and Image J was employed for the analysis.

Upon enzymatic dissociation with trypsin (G4012,servicebio,China), adherent cardiomyocytes were suspended, harvested, and subsequently counted. Cells were then lysed using the appropriate volume of RIPA lysis buffer to facilitate protein release. The ensuing experimental procedures, including the reagents utilized, were in alignment with those established for myocardial tissue Western blot analysis. Chemiluminescent substrates were employed for signal development, captured either by an imaging system or film in a darkroom setting. The band intensity on the membrane was analyzed to qualitatively or quantitatively assess the target protein.

Immunofluorescence

Transection of the whole heart, with the left and right ventricles used for fixation in the transverse section of the heart, has a direct correlation with the partial area at risk. Heart tissue was fixed overnight in 4% paraformaldehyde. The tissues underwent dehydration, were subsequently embedded in paraffin, and then sectioned into slices measuring 5 mm in thickness. The sections were then baked and subjected to deparaffinization using xylene, absolute ethanol, and a gradient of alcohol in sequential order. Following deparaffinization, antigen retrieval was carried out at 97℃ for 30 min using antigen retrieval solution (P0088, Beyotime, China). Before blocking, tissue autofluorescence quenching reagent (G1221, Servicebio, China) was applied, followed by blocking with 3% BSA (4240GR100, BioFroxx, China) for 30 min. After incubating with the primary antibody, the fluorescent secondary antibody (anti-rabbit antibody, GB22303, Servicebio, China) was added and incubated for 50 min in dark. Staining results were analyzed using Image J after being photographed with an orthogonal fluorescence microscope.

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction

Total RNA was collected from rat myocardial tissue using the SPARK easy Improved Tissue RNA Kit (Spark Jade, AC0202, China). RNA purity was assessed using the NanoPhotometer N120. Subsequently, total RNA was subjected to reverse transcription using the SPARKscript II RT Plus Kit (Spark Jade, AG0304, China). Finally, the reaction was performed on a real-time PCR instrument (ABI, 7300 plus, America) [20]. LC3 protein expression level and localization status are often used as indicators to evaluate cellular autophagic activity. By detecting changes in the expression levels and ratios of LC3-I and LC3-II, the dynamic changes in autophagy initiation, progression, and termination can be determined. Therefore, we also included LC3 in our qPCR experiments. GAPDH was used as a positive control to quantify the expression levels of various samples. Details regarding the primers and probes are provided in Table 1.

Table 1 The primers used for qPCR
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Flow cytometric analysis of cardiomyocyte apoptosis

Following cell culture supernatant collection, trypsin without EDTA (G4011, Servicebio, China) was applied to digest the adherent cells, which were then pooled with the aforementioned supernatant. This mixture was subjected to centrifugation at 500 g, 4℃ for 5 min to pellet the cells. The resultant cell pellet was washed twice with pre-cooled PBS (G4202, Servicebio, China), each time followed by centrifugation at 500 g, 4℃ for 5 min. Cells were then gently resuspended in pre-cooled 1 × Binding Buffer (G1512-3, Servicebio, China) to adjust the cell concentration to 1–5 × 10^6/mL. To this, 100 µL of cell suspension was added with 5 µL of Annexin V-PE (G1512-1, Servicebio, China) and 5 µL of FITC (G1512-2, Servicebio, China), mixed gently and incubated at room temperature in the dark for 8–10 min. Finally, 400 µL of pre-cooled 1 × Binding Buffer was added, mixed gently, and analyzed within 1 h by flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy.

Statistic

Data analysis was conducted using GraphPad (version 8.0.2). After calculating mean and standard deviation of the data for each group, one-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences between the different groups and comparisons between each of the two groups were made using LSD method. We deemed results statistically significant when the p-value was below 0.05.

Results

Identification of DEGs and mitophagy-DEGs

GSE108940 from GEO database was analyzed for this study. A total of 6 normal myocardial tissues and 6 myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury tissues were included for analysis. Firstly, the datasets were validated. The PCA results demonstrated high data reproducibility and minimal within-group differences (Fig. 2A, B). Then, DEGs were analyzed using the online analysis tool GEO2R in GEO. After screening with | log2FC|> 0.58 and P.adj < 0.05, 1242 upregulated and 1477 downregulated genes were determined for MIRI tissues (Table 2). A log2 fold change (log2FC) threshold of 0.58 signifies an increase or decrease in expression levels by 50%.In tightly regulated systems, this threshold enables the capture of such pivotal variations.A lower threshold also enhances the sensitivity of the analysis, detecting smaller yet potentially biologically relevant changes.The volcano plot (Fig. 2C) and heat map (Fig. 2D) displayed all the DEGs. Subsequently, we performed an intersection analysis between DEGs and 358 mitophagy-related genes, identifying 61 mitophagy-DEGs (Fig. 3), comprising 30 upregulated and 31 downregulated genes (Table 3).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Data filtering and identification of DEGs in the myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury tissue samples. A IQR boxplot and B PCA analysis show the data were well corrected. C Volcano plot of all genes. Red dots represented up-regulated genes and blue dots represented down-regulated genes. D Heat map for DEGs in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury and sham tissues. PCA, principal component analysis. DEGs, differentially expressed genes

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Table 2 Top thirty DEGs in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury (GSE108940)
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Fig. 3
figure 3

Identification of mitophagy-DEGs in the myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury tissue. A The Venn diagram of gene expression profile data and mitophagy-related genes. B The Venn diagram of DEGs and mitophagy-related genes. Mitophagy-DEGs, mitophagy related with differentially expressed genes; DEGs, differentially expressed genes

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Table 3 Mitophagy differentially expressed genes of MIRI
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DEGs functional enrichment analysis

Initially, enrichment analysis of the DEGs was conducted using GO and KEGG. GO BP analysis revealed significant enrichments in muscle tissue development, cell chemotaxis, myeloid cell differentiation, leukocyte chemotaxis, and wound healing. Regarding CC, the DEGs were explicitly associated with the apical part of the cell, cell leading edge, membrane microdomain, and nuclear envelope. The MF analysis unveiled that the DEGs predominantly correlated with actin binding, interactions with ubiquitin-like protein ligases, binding to cell adhesion molecules, amide binding, and heat shock protein interactions (Fig. 4A). The KEGG pathway analysis revealed significant enrichments in the HIF-1 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, mTOR signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, autophagy-animal and Phagosome (Fig. 4C).

Fig. 4
figure 4

GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of DEGs. A, B Bubble plot of biological process, cellular component and molecular function of all DEGs and 61 mitophagy-DEGs GO analysis: The position of the bubbles indicates the proportion of significant genes associated with specific biological processes, cellular components, or molecular functions, the size of the bubbles reflects the number of significant genes, and the gradation of color denotes the level of significance post-P-value adjustment. C KEGG analysis of all DEGs. D KEGG analysis of 61 mitophagy-DEGs

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Validation and enrichment analysis of mitophagy-DEGs

To explore the biological features of mitophagy-DEGs, we conducted GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses employing the clusterProfiler package within the R software environment (Table 4). The GO enrichment analysis yielded results in three functional categories: BP, CC, and MF (Fig. 4B). Within the BP category, mitophagy-DEGs showed significant enrichment in macroautophagy, organelle disassembly, autophagy of mitochondrion, reactive oxygen species metabolic process, and mitochondrion disassembly. Regarding CC, Mitophagy-DEGs were predominantly associated with the myelin sheath, ribosome, autophagosome, cytosolic ribosome, and autophagosome. Regarding MF, mitophagy-DEGs exhibited significant enrichments in ubiquitin-like protein ligase binding, ubiquitin protein ligase binding [23], ATP hydrolysis activity, and p53 binding. The KEGG pathway analysis revealed significant enrichments in mitophagy-animal, HIF-1 signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway (Fig. 4D).

Table 4 Analysis of GO and KEGG enrichment of Mitophagy-DEGs
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Identification of key genes of Mitophagy-DEGs

The mitophagy-DEGs were uploaded to STRING website to obtain the PPI network (Fig. 5A). The top 7 hub genes, including HSP90AA1, RPS27A, EEF2, EIF4A1, EIF2S1, HIF-1α and BNIP3 were identified using cytoHubba (Fig. 5B, Table 5). Next, MCODE was employed to analyze PPI network.MCODE (Molecular Complex Detection) is primarily utilized for identifying and scoring functional modules or complexes within protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, taking into account key parameters such as the weighted degree of nodes, the density of the complex, and node connectivity. Higher scores in subnetworks indicate a greater degree of protein interconnectivity, signifying a functionally more cohesive protein complex. Analysis of 61 proteins through MCODE resulted in 4 subnetworks with a maximum score of 10, and MCODE 1, with a score of 9.647, comprised of HSP90AA1, HIF-1α, BNIP3, ATG14, GABARAPL1, HSPA9, EIF4A1, EIF4A2, EEF2, EIF2S1, RPS15A, RPLP0, RPS3, RPS27A, RPS18, ABCE1, PLEC and RPL12 (Fig. 5C). MCODE 2, with a score of 5.4, consisted of HIF-1α, BNIP3, MAPK14, PRKAA2, ATG14 and GABARAPL1 (Fig. 5D). MCODE 3 and MCODE 4 scored 1.6 and 1.5, respectively. The higher scores of MCODE 1 and MCODE 2 further elucidate the close association between HIF-1α and BNIP3, laying a theoretical foundation for subsequent in-depth exploration of their connection with MIRI.

Fig. 5
figure 5

PPI network analysis of hub genes. A PPI network.from STRING database. B PPI network circles represented proteins and lines represented interactions between proteins. Ten hub genes were in colour. The red depth means the degree of importance. C Results scored 9.647 using the MCODE plugin in Cytoscape. D Results scored 5.4 using the MCODE plugin in Cytoscape; PPI, protein–protein interaction

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Table 5 Details of Seven hub genes
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GSEA analysis HIF-1α and BNIP3

The pivotal genes HIF-1α and BNIP3 were subjected to enrichment analysis using GSEA software with FDR < 0.01. The pathways associated with each hub gene were determined by analyzing their expression profiles by KEGG pathway database. The analysis revealed that the enriched pathways were predominantly related to GROSS Hypoxia Via HIF1A Dn and ELVIDGE Hypoxia Up (Fig. 6A, B).

Fig. 6
figure 6

GSEA analysis of hub genes. A, B Represent the pathways about function enrichment of HIF-1α and BNIP3; GSEA, gene set enrichment analysis

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Successfully established MIRI rat model

HE staining showed that the shape, size and structure of cardiomyocytes were normal in the Sham group [24], while in the MIRI group, large areas of cardiomyocytes were dead, with obvious cell degeneration and hypertrophy; myocardial fibers were disorganized, and the survival rate of cardiomyocytes was reduced, suggesting that MIRI model was effectively established in rats [25] (Fig. 7A). For TTC staining, compared to Sham group, the infarct area of the MIRI group increased (P < 0.05) (Fig. 7B).

Fig. 7
figure 7

Validation of the expression of hub genes. A The results of HE: Sham group myocardial cells were neatly arranged in striated patterns.MIRI group exhibited disorganized myocardial cell arrangement, with instances of myocardial rupture, nuclear deformation. B The results of TTC: The myocardial tissue in Sham group typically shows a uniform red coloration. MIRI group myocardial tissue appear pale or white. These areas represent necrotic or infarcted tissue. C, D Western blot analysis of HIF-1α, BNIP3, LC3I and LC3II protein levels in Sham and MIRI group (The experiments were repeated three times). E, F Immunofluorescence analysis of HIF-1α and BNIP3 in Sham and MIRI group. G QPCR results for mRNA levels of hub genes HIF-1α and BNIP3; ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001

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Expression levels of HIF-1α, BNIP3 and LC3 in myocardial tissue

Comparatively, in MIRI group, expression of HIF-1α and BNIP3 proteins increased significantly (P < 0.05) and the ratio of LC3II to LC3I increased compared to Sham group (P < 0.05), indicating an increased expression of mitophagy related proteins following MIRI (Fig. 7C, D). The results show that IRI significantly promotes the expression of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins, which may be associated with the activation of the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway.

Immunofluorescence of HIF-1α and BNIP3

HIF-1α and BNIP3 expression were well verified by immunofluorescence staining. In contrast to sham group, there was a notable elevation in HIF-1α expression within the MIRI group (P < 0.05), and notable disparity was observed in the expression of BNIP3 (P < 0.05). The immunofluorescent staining signals, represented in green, clearly indicate the heightened expression levels and fluorescence intensity of HIF-1α and BNIP3 within the MIRI group [26]. The observed differences were considered statistically significant when compared to the Sham group (Fig. 7E, F).

Validation of findings via qRT-PCR

The qPCR was conducted using six MIRI and six paired Sham tissue samples to validate the mRNA expression of HIF-1α, BNIP3 and LC3. The obtained results align with our expectations, revealing a significant upregulation of HIF-1α, BNIP3 and LC3 in the MIRI group (p < 0.05), in stark contrast to their lower expression levels in the Sham group (Fig. 7G).

Expression levels of HIF-1α, BNIP3 and LC3 in H9C2

Compared to the control group, the expression levels of HIF-1α and BNIP3 proteins, as well as the LC3II/LC3I ratio, were significantly elevated in the H/R group (P < 0.01), suggesting an induction of mitochondrial autophagy following H/R.Indicating that the expression of HIF-1α could promote the expression of BNIP3. In contrast, the YC-1 group exhibited a significant reduction in the expression levels of HIF-1α, BNIP3, and the LC3II/LC3I ratio compared to the H/R group (P < 0.001) (Fig. 8A, B).

Fig. 8
figure 8

Investigation into the Mechanism of HIF-1α and BNIP3 in MIRI. A, B Western blot analysis of HIF-1α, BNIP3, LC3I and LC3II protein levels in Con, H/R and YC-1 group; Compared with Con group,****P < 0.001,compared with H/R group,###P < 0.01. C Apoptosis rate of H9C2 cardiomyocytes in each group; ***P < 0.001,****P < 0.0001

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Apoptotic rate in Rat H9C2 Cardiomyocytes

Compared with the control group, the rate of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the H/R group was significantly increased (P < 0.01) (Fig. 8C); compared with the H/R group, the apoptosis rate in the YC-1 group further increased (P < 0.01) (Fig. 8C). This indicates that inhibiting the expression of HIF-1α and BNIP3, thereby countering mitochondrial autophagy, is actually detrimental to H9C2 cardiomyocytes, leading to further myocardial cell damage and apoptosis.

Study limitation

Despite the deployment of various bioinformatics analysis and statistical methodologies to investigate myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury, it is imperative to acknowledge the inherent limitations of our study. Firstly, the limited sample size and single-sex animal models may have overlooked certain genes potentially implicated in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. Secondly, species differences warrant careful consideration, with future experiments needed to further explore interspecies correlations. Thirdly, our study's database relies solely on microarray data from GEO, RNA-seq, and Genecards. Future research endeavors will aim to amalgamate data from multiple sources. Lastly, the model used in this study to investigate myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury carries specific constraints.

Discussion

Our analysis indicates that mitophagy is activated during myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. Additionally, we identified and analyzed relevant hub genes, providing new directions for treating myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. From the GSE108940 database, we obtained 2719 DEGs, including 1242 upregulated genes and 1477 downregulated genes. Through KEGG enrichment analysis, we discovered the significant role of mitophagy in MIRI. Subsequently, we obtained 61 intersecting genes from intersection of DEGs and mitophagy database. Through enrichment analysis, these genes were primarily associated with oxidative stress, the HIF-1 signaling pathway, and mitophagy, thereby obtaining hub genes. The seven highest-scoring genes include HSP90AA1, RPS27A, EEF2, EIF4A1, EIF2S1, HIF-1α and BNIP3. However, we discovered through functional clustering using the MCODE plugin that there is a close relationship between HIF-1α and BNIP3, so we included BNIP3 in our study. Analyzing hub genes with GSEA software further substantiates the involvement of mitophagy in MIRI, particularly HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling pathway. Finally, experimental validation was conducted to confirm the expression of pivotal genes.

In this study, we identified the top 7 hub genes. HSP90AA1, or Hsp90α, belongs to the family of HSP90. It plays essential physiological and regulatory roles within cells. Studies have shown that HSP90AA1 is significantly protective in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury [27]. HSP90AA1 is involved in regulating cellular autophagy, thereby protecting myocardial cells from MIRI damage [28]. Research has demonstrated that HSP90AA1 can modulate the expression of autophagy-related proteins, including cathepsin and LC3, thereby promoting autophagy [29]. Moreover, HSP90AA1 exerts antioxidant effects by neutralizing free radical production and reducing oxidative stress-induced damage to myocardial cells [30]. Studies have shown that HSP90AA1 can enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes, incorporating enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), consequently resulting in a decrease in levels of oxidative stress [30, 31].

RPS27A, a component of the ribosome, participates in the regulation of protein synthesis [32, 33]. Firstly, RPS27A participates in the recognition and initiation of mitophagy signals. Research has identified an interaction between RPS27A and mitochondrial damage markers, such as Parkin and PINK1 [34, 35]. Upon mitochondrial damage, cells tag the damaged mitochondria through specific signaling pathways and initiate mitophagy [36]. Secondly, RPS27A interacts with proteins on the autophagosomal membrane, including LC3 and autophagy adapter proteins such as sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1, also known as p62) [35, 37]. This interaction further facilitates the association of mitochondria with the autophagosomal membrane, promoting the engulfment and degradation of mitochondria [38, 39].

The post-translational modified factor eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (EEF2) serves as a critical regulatory factor in ischemia–reperfusion injury [40]. Firstly, EEF2 regulates protein synthesis via its phosphorylation state [41]. Under normal conditions, unphosphorylated EEF2 facilitates ribosomal translocation, enabling smooth protein synthesis [42]. However, during the process of ischemia–reperfusion injury, the activity of the phosphorylating enzyme EEF2 kinase significantly increases, resulting in excessive phosphorylation of EEF2. This phosphorylation state inhibits EEF2 function, leading to suppressed protein synthesis [43]. Secondly, EEF2 is also implicated in cell death. Studies have shown that the phosphorylation state of EEF2 plays a critical regulatory role in ischemia–reperfusion injury [44]. Excessive phosphorylation of EEF2 leads to inhibited protein synthesis and enhanced cell death pathways, including apoptosis and autophagy [45]. Studies have shown that inhibiting the phosphorylation of EEF2 can attenuate IRI and reduce cell death [46, 47].

EIF4A1 is a translation initiation factor that interacts with proteins involved in mitophagy, including Parkin and PINK1 [48]. These interactions contribute to initiating mitophagy and promoting selective degradation of damaged mitochondria. Furthermore, EIF4A1 can regulate gene expression associated with mitophagy, thereby influencing the process [49].

EIF2S1 is a transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA)-binding protein that participates in the regulation of translation initiation [50, 51]. In the context of myocardial ischemia, EIF2S1 undergoes phosphorylation and activation by PERK (protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase) [52]. This activation inhibits the initiation of protein translation, reducing the demand for oxygen and nutrients and enhancing the process of mitophagy to mitigate cellular damage [53]. However, during the early reperfusion phase, the accumulation of damaged proteins necessitates clearance through degradation. Phosphorylation of EIF2S1 also modulates cellular stress responses and inflammatory reactions, further influencing the regulation of mitophagy [54, 55].

Meanwhile, we proposed the following mechanism of action based on the data (Fig. 9). When ischemia–reperfusion injury occurred, it induced localized hypoxia and led to the production of superoxide within the corneal epithelium. Under hypoxic conditions, oxygen availability decreases, leading to stabilization and accumulation of HIF-1α. After stabilization, HIF-1α migrates into the nucleus and associates with HIF-1β to form an active HIF-1 complex [56]. Once this active HIF-1 complex is formed, it binds to specific hypoxia response elements (HREs) located within the promoter regions of target genes, thereby regulating the transcription of BNIP3 [56, 57]. HIF-1-regulated BNIP3 interacted with LC3 on the phagophore membrane, marking the damaged mitochondria for sequestration and subsequent autophagosomal engulfment. This interaction is mediated by LC3-interacting regions (LIRs) present in BNIP3 [58, 59]. BNIP3 also recruits autophagy receptors, such as NIX (BNIP3L), to enhance mitophagy efficiency. Hypoxia, a potent inducer of BNIP3 expression, activates HIF-1, which directly binds to the BNIP3 promoter, promoting its transcription. In addition, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, triggered by cellular energy depletion, phosphorylates and activates BNIP3, enhancing its pro-mitophagy function. Moreover, BNIP3 can be regulated by upstream kinases, such as Akt and GSK-3β, which modulate its activity and subcellular localization. The BCL2 family of proteins, comprising anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic members, influences BNIP3-mediated mitophagy [60]. BNIP3 contains a BH3 domain that enables its interaction with anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members, such as BCL2 and BCL-XL [61]. This interaction releases the pro-apoptotic protein Beclin-1, initiating autophagy. Moreover, BNIP3 can promote mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), leading to cytochrome c release and apoptotic cell death, highlighting its dual role in autophagy and apoptosis [62, 63].

Fig. 9
figure 9

Schematic representation of the mechanism of mitophagy and HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway in MIRI

Full size image

Currently, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that I/R can disrupt the process of mitophagy [64], leading to further cytotoxic damage and potentially resulting in cell death. Research has additionally demonstrated a direct correlation between the extent of myocardial ischemia and autophagic processes in myocardial I/R [45]. These viewpoints align precisely with the results of our bioinformatics analysis. It’s worth noting that there is still a debate over the primary mechanism of “autophagic cell death”, whether it involves excessive mitophagy or the extensive accumulation of autophagosomes [65]. A new consensus is emerging that the changes induced by cellular damage align with the formation and initiation of autophagosomes in myocardial cells, contributing to the process of cell death [66]. Nevertheless, as the molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy’s dual function in I/R remain incompletely elucidated, further investigations are warranted in numerous instances to ascertain whether autophagy can exert protective or deleterious effects [67, 68].

Furthermore, the HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated regulation of mitophagy that we have discovered provides new insights into potential therapeutic targets for myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury [69]. A growing body of scholars has begun to direct their attention towards the role of autophagy in myocardial protection, holding the promise of unveiling novel therapeutic strategies for MIRI [70]. A multitude of preclinical investigations have been undertaken to evaluate the pharmacological modulation of autophagic flux as a potent strategy against MIRI, yielding noteworthy outcomes. It has been discovered that many intervention measures, such as resveratrol, allicin, resveratrol, and hydrogen-rich saline, can protect the heart from the impacts of IRI by enhancing autophagy levels [71]. Furthermore, certain medications such as ryanodine, JNK inhibitors, berberine, and trimetazidine have shown potential in heart protection by either inhibiting autophagy or enhancing mitochondrial repair. Additionally, distinct non-coding RNAs that target autophagy have emerged as pivotal players in MIRI [72]. Consequently, the ongoing quest to pinpoint precise cellular mechanisms, sustain optimal autophagic processes, and curtail excessive autophagy represents a central therapeutic endeavor, offering a promising outlook for future strategies in addressing MIRI and enhancing cardiac protection.

Conclusion

In summary, the current study is the first study that comprehensively explores the involvement of mitophagy and the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway in MIRI through integrated bioinformatics analysis, which has provided new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of treating ischemia–reperfusion injury. Our research results indicate that the dual regulation of mitophagy levels is associated with IRI, which may offer valuable clues for exploring the therapeutic mechanisms of myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. Furthermore, this study suggests that the seven mitophagy-signature genes (HSP90AA1, RPS27A, EEF2, EIF4A1, EIF2S1, HIF-1α, BNIP3) may serve not only as potential biomarkers for myocardial ischemia–reperfusion but also as potential targets for future research and Paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches targeting myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury.

Availability of data and materials

The analysis in this study utilized publicly available datasets. The data can be accessed at the following links: https://0-www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.brum.beds.ac.uk/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE108940 and https://www.genecards.org/Search/Keyword?queryString=mitophagy.

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Acknowledgements

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the study participants. Additionally, our appreciation goes out to the GEO database for generously offering their platform and to the contributors for their dedicated efforts in sharing their datasets.

Funding

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant number: 81603324). Jilin Health Science and Technology Capacity Enhancement Program of China (Grant number: 2022JC038). The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students at Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (S202210199041).

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  1. Department of Clinical Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1035, Boshuo Road, Nanguan District, Changchun, 130,117, Jilin Province, China

    Zhian Chen, Tianying Liu, Hao Yuan, Han Sun, Sitong Liu, Shuai Zhang, Li Liu, Shuang Jiang, Yong Tang & Zhi Liu

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  6. Shuai Zhang
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  7. Li Liu
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  8. Shuang Jiang
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  9. Yong Tang
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  10. Zhi Liu
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Contributions

Zhian Chen, Hao Yuan, and Han Sun conducted data analysis and performed the experiments. Zhian Chen and Tianying Liu drafted the manuscript. Sitong Liu, Li Liu and Shuai Zhang assisted in revising the manuscript. Zhi Liu and Yong Tang provided valuable guidance and analysis during this review. Each of the authors made contributions to the article, and they all provided their approval for the submitted version.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yong Tang or Zhi Liu.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study is reported in accordance with ARRIVE guidelines (https://arriveguidelines.org). And the animal study adhered to the guidelines as detailed in the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” and received approval from the Animal Ethics Committee at Changchun University of Chinese Medicine (Approval No. 2022526).

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Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Chen, Z., Liu, T., Yuan, H. et al. Bioinformatics integration reveals key genes associated with mitophagy in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 24, 183 (2024). https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/s12872-024-03834-x

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  • DOI: https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/s12872-024-03834-x

Keywords

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders

ISSN: 1471-2261

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