Dataset Information

Intra- and Inter-Individual Variance of Gene Expression in Human Placenta

ABSTRACT: Variance in microarray studies has been widely discussed as a critical topic of the identification of differentially expressed gene; however, few studies have addressed the influence of estimating variance. To break intra- and inter-individual variance in clinical studies down to three levels: technical, anatomic, and individual, we designed experiments and algorithms to investigate three forms of variances. As a case study, a group of “inter-individual variable genes” were identified to exemplify the influence of underestimated variance on the statistical and biological aspects in identification of differentially expressed genes. Our results showed that inadequate estimation of variance inevitably led to the inclusion of non-statistically significant genes into those listed as significant, thereby interfering with the correct prediction of biological functions. Applying a higher cutoff value of fold changes in the selection of significant genes reduce/eliminate the effects of underestimated variance. Our data demonstrates that an appropriate evaluation of variance is critical in selecting significant genes of differential expression. If the estimation of precise variance has not been adequately considered in the experimental design, using a higher fold change criteria is one possible solution to overcome the difficulties associated with the identification of significant genes, but it paid by losing the number of selected genes.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE27646 | GEO | 2011/03/02

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA138509

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Variance in microarray studies has been widely discussed as a critical topic of the identification of differentially expressed gene; however, few studies have addressed the influence of estimating variance. To break intra- and inter-individual variance in clinical studies down to three levels: technical, anatomic, and individual, we designed experiments and algorithms to investigate three forms of variances. As a case study, a group of “inter-individual variable genes” were identified to exemplify the influence of underestimated variance on the statistical and biological aspects in identification of differentially expressed genes. Our results showed that inadequate estimation of variance inevitably led to the inclusion of non-statistically significant genes into those listed as significant, thereby interfering with the correct prediction of biological functions. Applying a higher cutoff value of fold changes in the selection of significant genes reduce/eliminate the effects of underestimated variance. Our data demonstrates that an appropriate evaluation of variance is critical in selecting significant genes of differential expression. If the estimation of precise variance has not been adequately considered in the experimental design, using a higher fold change criteria is one possible solution to overcome the difficulties associated with the identification of significant genes, but it paid by losing the number of selected genes. A total of 11 normal placenta tissues obtained from 9 healthy individuals with term pregnancies, whom underwent cesarean section without labor pain. The first sample group (G1) was composed of samples 1 to 9 of nine individuals. The second sample group (G2) contained 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3, which were three different placental tissues taken from the same individual. The third sample group (G3) consisted of two technical replicates, 8-3_1 and 8-3_2, using the identical RNA pool. Sample 8-3 is estimated by sample 8-3_1 and 8-3_2. Sample 8 is estimated by sample 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3.

Project description:Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and destructive joint disease, characterized by overexpression of pro-inflammatory/-destructive genes and other activating genes (e.g., proto-oncogenes) in the synovial membrane (SM). The gene expression in disease is often characterized by significant inter-individual variances via specific synchronization/ desynchronization of gene expression. To elucidate the contribution of the variance to the pathogenesis of disease, expression variances were tested in SM samples of RA patients, osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and normal controls (NC). Results. For the comparison between RA and NC, 568 genes with significantly different variances in the 2 groups (p < 0.05; Bonferroni/Holm corrected Brown-Forsythe version of the Levene-Test) were selected. For the comparison between RA and OA, 333 genes were selected. Using the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), 10 pathways/complexes significantly affected by higher gene expression variances were identified in RA compared to NC, including cytokine â cytokine receptor interactions, the TGF-pathway, and anti-apoptosis. Compared to OA, 3 pathways with significantly higher variances were identified in RA (e.g., B cell receptor signaling, VEGF signaling). Functionally, the majority of the identified pathways is involved in the regulation of inflammation, proliferation, cell survival, and angiogenesis. Conclusion. In RA, a number of disease-relevant or even disease-specific pathways/complexes are characterized by broad intra-group, inter-individual expression variances. This indicates that RA pathogenesis in different individuals may depend to a lesser extent on common alterations of the expression of specific key genes, but on individual-specific alterations of different genes resulting in common disturbances of key pathways. Experiment Overall Design: Expression variances were tested in synovial membrane samples of rheumatoid arthritis patients, osteoarthritis patients, and normal controls (see publication for further details).

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Intra- and Inter-Individual Variance of Gene Expression in Human Placenta

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