Peer-Reviewed Publications

      Causal biological network model for inflammasome signaling applied for interpreting transcriptomic changes in various inflammatory states

      Yepiskoposyan, H.; Peitsch, M. C.; Talikka, M.

      Published
      Jan 27, 2022
      DOI
      10.1155/2022/4071472
      PMID
      35126992
      Topic
      Summary

      Virtually any stressor that alters the cellular homeostatic state may result in an inflammatory response. As a critical component of innate immunity, inflammasomes play a prominent role in the inflammatory response. The information on inflammasome biology is rapidly growing, thus creating the need for structuring it into a model that can help visualize and enhance the understanding of underlying biological processes. Causal biological network (CBN) models provide predictive power for novel disease mechanisms and treatment outcomes. We assembled the available literature information on inflammasome activation into the CBN model and scored it with publicly available transcriptomic datasets that address viral infection of the lungs, osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and aging. The scoring inferred pathway activation leading to NLRP3 inflammasome activation in these diverse conditions, demonstrating that the CBN model provides a platform for interpreting transcriptomic data in the context of inflammasome activation.