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Peer-reviewedCC BYGenes

OLFM4, LCN2 and FAM3B as Potential Biomarkers for Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction in IBD-MDD Comorbidity.

  • Fang Li1
  • Junmei Zhao1
  • Boyang Song2
  • Jiheng Wang3
  • Jing Zhang1
  1. 1Translational Research on Cell and Gene Therapy for Higher Education Institutions for Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Higher Education Institutions, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710021, China.
  2. 2Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan' an University, Yan'an 716000, China.
  3. 3Department of Pharmacy, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710021, China.
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Abstract

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit bidirectional pathogenic interactions through the gut-immune-brain axis, but robust common biomarkers remain elusive. This study aimed to identify the core hub genes and their conserved signaling pathways in IBD-MDD comorbidity.Methods

We analyzed two transcriptome datasets, GSE117993 (pediatric IBD biopsy) and GSE98793 (MDD whole blood), to screen for shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Multi-algorithm machine learning, marker pathway correlation analysis, immune infiltration assessment and ROC validation were performed.Results

A total of 25 overlapping DEGs were identified, and three common core genes, OLFM4, LCN2, and FAM3B, were unanimously selected. Marker pathway analysis revealed that these genes were significantly associated with conserved inflammatory cascades in both diseases, including TNF/NF-κB and JAK-STAT signaling pathways, as well as interferon response and metabolic stress pathways. Analysis of immune infiltration indicated an association with neutrophils, M1 macrophages, and other immune subsets. The combined three-gene signature shows preliminary diagnostic performance within these datasets for IBD and MDD.Conclusions

This study identifies OLFM4/LCN2/FAM3B as potential shared biomarkers hinting at molecular links between IBD and MDD, providing new insights into candidate shared inflammatory mechanisms underlying gut-immune-brain axis dysfunction.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{li2026olfm4,
  title = {{OLFM4, LCN2 and FAM3B as Potential Biomarkers for Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction in IBD-MDD Comorbidity.}},
  author = {Fang Li and Junmei Zhao and Boyang Song and Jiheng Wang and Jing Zhang},
  journal = {Genes},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/genes17101245},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42938361},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - OLFM4, LCN2 and FAM3B as Potential Biomarkers for Gut-Brain Axis Dysfunction in IBD-MDD Comorbidity.
AU  - Fang Li
AU  - Junmei Zhao
AU  - Boyang Song
AU  - Jiheng Wang
AU  - Jing Zhang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/09
JO  - Genes
DO  - 10.3390/genes17101245
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42938361
AB  - Background  Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit bidirectional pathogenic interactions through the gut-immune-brain axis, but robust common biomarkers remain elusive. This study aimed to identify the core hub genes and their conserved signaling pathways in IBD-MDD comorbidity.Methods  We analyzed two transcriptome datasets, GSE117993 (pediatric IBD biopsy) and GSE98793 (MDD whole blood), to screen for shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Multi-algorithm machine learning, marker pathway correlation analysis, immune infiltration assessment and ROC validation were performed.Results  A total of 25 overlapping DEGs were identified, and three common core genes, OLFM4, LCN2, and FAM3B, were unanimously selected. Marker pathway analysis revealed that these genes were significantly associated with conserved inflammatory cascades in both diseases, including TNF/NF-κB and JAK-STAT signaling pathways, as well as interferon response and metabolic stress pathways. Analysis of immune infiltration indicated an association with neutrophils, M1 macrophages, and other immune subsets. The combined three-gene signature shows preliminary diagnostic performance within these datasets for IBD and MDD.Conclusions  This study identifies OLFM4/LCN2/FAM3B as potential shared biomarkers hinting at molecular links between IBD and MDD, providing new insights into candidate shared inflammatory mechanisms underlying gut-immune-brain axis dysfunction.
SN  - 2073-4425
ER  -