RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of blood from patients with cortical cataracts

The cortical cataract is the primary type of age-related cataract and can cause severe vision impairment in the early stage. To explore potential blood markers associated with individual physical conditions in cataract patients, we performed RNA sequencing to compare the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between cortical and refractive cataract patients. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were conducted. ELISA was subsequently used to validate differences in the protein expression levels of the selected genes. A total of 311 upregulated and 268 downregulated genes were identified. After bioinformatics analysis, we identified three key DEGs (MPO, CXCL8, and FN1) and determined their possible molecular mechanisms. As determined by ELISA, the expression of these genes increased; among them, MPO was the most significant DEG, and it related to oxidative stress responses through peroxidase activity and the catabolism of hydrogen peroxide. In conclusion, MPO, CXCL8 and FN1 were regarded as potential blood markers in patients. However, owing to the small sample size, the above conclusions are hypothetical.