Targeting CCR2 and PTPN22 Genes for Post-Infarct Heart Failure Therapy: A Network-based Repurposing of Kuanxiong Aerosol.
6 affiliations
- 1The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300170, China.
- 2Tianjin Key Laboratory of Extracorporeal Life Support for Critical Diseases, Tianjin, 300170, China.
- 3Artificial Cell Engineering Technology Research Center, Tianjin, 300170, China.
- 4Tianjin Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease, Tianjin, 300170, China.
- 5Department of Heart Center, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300170, China.
- 6Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Tai'an Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Tai'an, Shandong, 271000, China.
Abstract
Background
Kuanxiong aerosol (KX) has been used in ischemic cardiovascular diseases, but its potential molecular targets and pathway-level associations in post-myocardial infarction heart failure (post-MI HF) remain insufficiently characterized.Objectives
This study aimed to identify and prioritize putative KX-related molecular targets and signaling pathways associated with post-MI HF by integrating network pharmacology, WGCNA, immune infiltration analysis, and transcriptomic correlation analysis.Materials and methods
We retrieved KX components from published data, predicted their targets using SwissTargetPrediction, and collected post-MI HF-related genes from GeneCards, OMIM, and DigSee. Using network pharmacology and WGCNA on GSE59867 (80 samples), we screened KX-related targets. Enrichment analyses (KEGG/GSEA) and immune infiltration correlations (ssGSEA) were performed. Key targets were then cross-validated with disease-regulated genes.Results
Among 215 overlapping targets, calcium, HIF-1, and MAPK signaling were top hits. Two targets, CCR2 and PTPN22, showed significant immune-cell correlations (CCR2 with neutrophils: r=0.62, P<0.001; PTPN22 with NK cells: r=0.48, P<0.05). CCR2 also correlated with MIR21 (r=0.59, P=0.00024) and TTN (r=-0.48, P=0.0039). GSEA linked CCR2 to NOTCH and PTPN22 to PPAR signaling.Conclusion
CCR2 and PTPN22 are credible molecular targets for KX in post-MI HF. From a biotechnology standpoint, these findings support developing targeted immunomodulators (e.g., CCR2 antagonists or PTPN22 activity modulators) or engineered aerosol formulations. Further validation in engineered heart tissue models or bioreactor-based assays is needed before clinical translation.
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BibTeX
@article{sun2026targeting,
title = {{Targeting CCR2 and PTPN22 Genes for Post-Infarct Heart Failure Therapy: A Network-based Repurposing of Kuanxiong Aerosol.}},
author = {Zhifei Sun and Rongzhi Wang and Yingwu Liu},
journal = {Iranian journal of biotechnology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.30498/ijb.2026.580398.4417},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928728},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Targeting CCR2 and PTPN22 Genes for Post-Infarct Heart Failure Therapy: A Network-based Repurposing of Kuanxiong Aerosol.
AU - Zhifei Sun
AU - Rongzhi Wang
AU - Yingwu Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Iranian journal of biotechnology
DO - 10.30498/ijb.2026.580398.4417
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928728
AB - Background Kuanxiong aerosol (KX) has been used in ischemic cardiovascular diseases, but its potential molecular targets and pathway-level associations in post-myocardial infarction heart failure (post-MI HF) remain insufficiently characterized.Objectives This study aimed to identify and prioritize putative KX-related molecular targets and signaling pathways associated with post-MI HF by integrating network pharmacology, WGCNA, immune infiltration analysis, and transcriptomic correlation analysis.Materials and methods We retrieved KX components from published data, predicted their targets using SwissTargetPrediction, and collected post-MI HF-related genes from GeneCards, OMIM, and DigSee. Using network pharmacology and WGCNA on GSE59867 (80 samples), we screened KX-related targets. Enrichment analyses (KEGG/GSEA) and immune infiltration correlations (ssGSEA) were performed. Key targets were then cross-validated with disease-regulated genes.Results Among 215 overlapping targets, calcium, HIF-1, and MAPK signaling were top hits. Two targets, CCR2 and PTPN22, showed significant immune-cell correlations (CCR2 with neutrophils: r=0.62, P<0.001; PTPN22 with NK cells: r=0.48, P<0.05). CCR2 also correlated with MIR21 (r=0.59, P=0.00024) and TTN (r=-0.48, P=0.0039). GSEA linked CCR2 to NOTCH and PTPN22 to PPAR signaling.Conclusion CCR2 and PTPN22 are credible molecular targets for KX in post-MI HF. From a biotechnology standpoint, these findings support developing targeted immunomodulators (e.g., CCR2 antagonists or PTPN22 activity modulators) or engineered aerosol formulations. Further validation in engineered heart tissue models or bioreactor-based assays is needed before clinical translation.
SN - 1728-3043
SN - 2322-2921
ER -