Objective  To study the key genes and immune biomarkers of gout and to explore potential target Chinese medicine, which can provide new directions for the clinical treatment of gout.

Methods  The gout microarray dataset was downloaded from the GEO database, the differential genes were screened using R software, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on these differential genes. The STRING database was applied to analyze the protein interaction network of the differential genes, and the Cytoscape was used to screen the key genes. The protein expression levels of key genes were validated using the ELISA method. Furthermore, the xCell was used to estimate the relative expression and correlation of immune cells in gout. Finally, the significantly enriched immune-related biological processes and key target genes of Chinese medicine were predicted by Coremine Medical database.

Results  A total of 852 differential gout genes were screened. GO enrichment analysis was mainly enriched in the leukocyte chemotaxis, interleukin-2 production, and regulation of vasculature development; KEGG pathway was mainly enriched in IL^-17 signaling pathway, Chemokine signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway. Ten key genes, including TNF, IL-6, IL^-1β, CXCL8, FOS, and VEGFA etc, were selected. The experimental validation showed that the protein expression levels of key genes were consistent with the expression trends of the chip data. Immune infiltration showed that monocytes, memory B cells, CD8+ T-cells and IDC were closely associated with gout. Herbal predictions had identified Ginseng, Panax notoginseng, Scutellaria, Baicalensis, Saururus chinensis, and Salvia miltiorrhiza as potential drugs for the treatment of gout.

Conclusion  This study identified possible key genes and immune mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of gout, and discovered potential targetable traditional Chinese medicine. These key genes and herbs are expected to offer new insights and methods for the treatment of gout.

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