Machine Learning and Mendelian Randomization Reveal Molecular Mechanisms and Causal Relationships of Immune-Related Biomarkers in Periodontitis

This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of periodontitis and identify key immune-related biomarkers using machine learning and Mendelian randomization (MR). Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis was performed on periodontitis datasets GSE16134 and GSE10334 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, followed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify relevant gene modules. Various machine learning algorithms were utilized to construct predictive models, highlighting core genes, while MR assessed the causal relationships between these genes and periodontitis. Additionally, immune infiltration analysis and single-cell sequencing were employed to explore the roles of key genes in immunity and their expression across different cell types. The integration of machine learning, MR, and single-cell sequencing represents a novel approach that significantly enhances our understanding of the immune dynamics and gene interactions in periodontitis. The study identified 682 significant DEGs, with WGCNA revealing seven gene modules associated with periodontitis and 471 core candidate genes. Among the 113 machine learning algorithms tested, XGBoost was the most effective in identifying periodontitis samples, leading to the selection of 19 core genes. MR confirmed significant causal relationships between CD93, CD69, and CXCL6 and periodontitis. Further analysis showed that these genes were correlated with various immune cells and exhibited specific expression patterns in periodontitis tissues. The findings suggest that CD93, CD69, and CXCL6 are closely related to the progression of periodontitis, with MR confirming their causal links to the disease. These genes have potential applications in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis, offering new insights into the disease's molecular mechanisms and providing valuable resources for precision medicine approaches in periodontitis management. Limitations of this study include the demographic and sample size constraints of the datasets, which may impact the generalizability of the findings. Future research is needed to validate these biomarkers in larger, diverse cohorts and to investigate their functional roles in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.