A model-based clustering via mixture of hierarchical models with covariate adjustment for detecting differentially expressed genes from paired design

The causes of many complex human diseases are still largely unknown. Genetics plays an important role in uncovering the molecular mechanisms of complex human diseases. A key step to characterize the genetics of a complex human disease is to unbiasedly identify disease-associated gene transcripts on a whole-genome scale. Confounding factors could cause false positives. Paired design, such as measuring gene expression before and after treatment for the same subject, can reduce the effect of known confounding factors. However, not all known confounding factors can be controlled in a paired/match design. Model-based clustering, such as mixtures of hierarchical models, has been proposed to detect gene transcripts differentially expressed between paired samples. To the best of our knowledge, no model-based gene clustering methods have the capacity to adjust for the effects of covariates yet. In this article, we proposed a novel mixture of hierarchical models with covariate adjustment in identifying differentially expressed transcripts using high-throughput whole-genome data from paired design. Both simulation study and real data analysis show the good performance of the proposed method.

Shedding New Light on The Role of ανβ3 and α5β1 Integrins in Rheumatoid Arthritis

ανβ3 and α5β1 are essential glycoproteins involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Understanding of the role these integrins play in disease have been analyzed via description of cells-expressing ανβ3 and α5β1 and their mediators to trigger inflammation. ανβ3 and α5β1 facilitate cells-ECM and cell-cell communication, producing pro-inflammatory factors. Pro-inflammatory factors are essential for the building of undesirable new blood vessels termed angiogenesis which can further lead to destruction of bones and joints. Despite many attempts to target these glycoproteins, there are still some problems, therefore, there is still interest in understanding the synergistic role these integrins play in the pathogenesis of RA. The purpose of this review is to gain insights into the biological effects of ανβ3 and α5β1 in synovial tissues that are relevant to pathogenesis and therapy of RA.