Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) refers to a group of diseases in which the pelvic organs and the adjacent vaginal wall decrease due to weakened pelvic support tissue. Although it rarely causes severe symptoms or death, it has a huge impact on the quality of life of patients. Based on the diversity and heterogeneity of the pathophysiology of POP, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. In order to identify candidate genes in the occurrence and progression of POP, we have mined and analyzed some differential genes from public databases.

microarray datasets GSE53868, from Prolapsed and non-prolapsed position in the vaginal wall of 12 POP patients, was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected and identified, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene ontology (GO) function enrichment analyses were performed by the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). The protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed using STRING online website and the module analysis was performed with Cytoscape software, while hub genes were identified by MCODE plugin in Cytoscape.

A total of 118 differentially expressed genes were screened (P <0.05, log FC > 1 or log FC < -1), including 77 up-regulated genes and 41 down-regulated genes. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis showed that the biological process of these differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in cell apoptosis, immune response, and cell response to DNA destruction stimulation. The constructed protein interaction network suggested that these DEGs were mainly composed of 2 modules and Thrombomodulin (THBD) and zinc finger protein SNAL1 play a key role.

Thrombomodulin is a specific endothelial cell receptor responsible for the conversion of protein C to the activated protein C (protein Ca). Once evolved, protein Ca scissions the activated cofactors of the coagulation mechanism, factor Va and factor VIIIa, and thereby reduces the amount of thrombin generated. Unfortunately, we did not find a direct link between POP pathological process and coagulation function
Zinc finger protein SNAI1 Involved in induction of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), formation and maintenance of embryonic mesoderm, growth arrest, survival and cell migration. SNAI1 participated in the activation of fibroblasts while POP is closely related to fibroblast and collagen metabolism disorders.

In conclusion, the present study was designed to identify DEGs that may be involved in the occurrence and progression of HCC. A total of 119 DEGs and 2 hub genes were identified and may be regarded as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic target for POP, especially SNAI1. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the biological function of these genes in POP