Data Sheet 1_Identification of candidate selenium-associated transcriptomic biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an integrated bioinformatics and expression validation study.zip

A nomogram was subsequently generated to assess their diagnostic utility. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and RT-qPCR validation were finally conducted to examine the potential involvement of these biomarkers in COPD.</p>Results<p>We detected 235 DEGs and 40 selenoprotein-related genes, from which 17 overlapping candidate genes were obtained. ERBB4 and ZKSCAN3 were ultimately retained as biomarkers and were significantly decreased in COPD samples.

The nomogram based on these two genes showed favorable predictive ability. GSEA indicated that both biomarkers were associated with ribosome and olfactory transduction pathways. ERBB4 was also linked to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, whereas ZKSCAN3 was related to extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction.

RT-qPCR in a small exploratory cohort (n = 5 per group) showed directionally consistent downregulation of ERBB4 and ZKSCAN3 in COPD samples, supporting the bioinformatics findings. This exploratory analysis was cross-sectional and does not establish causality, selenium deficiency, or clinical utility. The findings are hypothesis-generating and require prospective validation.</p>Conclusion<p>ERBB4 and ZKSCAN3 were prioritized as exploratory candidate expression markers in the analyzed COPD datasets.

Their diagnostic value, selenium specificity, and biological functions require confirmation in larger independent cohorts and functional studies.</p>