A meta-analysis of microarray-based gene expression studies of olfactory bulb-derived olfactory ensheathing cells

Genome wide transcriptional profiling and large scale proteomics have emerged as two powerful methods to dissect the molecular properties of specific neural tissues or cell types on a global scale. Several genome-wide transcriptional profiling and proteomics studies have been published on cultured olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC). In this article we present a meta-analysis of all five published and publicly available micro-array gene expression datasets of cultured early-passage-OB-OEC with other cell types (Schwann cells, late-passage-OB-OEC, mucosa-OEC, an OEC cell line, and acutely dissected OEC). The aim of this meta-analysis is to identify genes and molecular pathways that are found in multiple instead of one isolated study. 454 Genes were detected in at least three out of five microarray datasets. In this “Top-list”, genes involved in the biological processes “growth of neurites”, “blood vessel development”, “migration of cells” and “immune response” were strongly overrepresented. By applying network analysis tools, molecular networks were constructed and Hub-genes were indentified that may function as key genes in the above mentioned interrelated processes. We also identified 7 genes (ENTPD2, MATN2, CTSC, PTHLH, GLRX1, COL27A1 and ID2) with uniformly higher or lower expression in early-passage-OB-OEC in all five microarray comparisons. These genes have diverse but intriguing roles in neuroprotection, neurite extension and/or tissue repair. Our meta-analysis provides novel insights into the molecular basis of OB-OEC-mediated neural repair and can serve as a repository for investigators interested in the molecular biology of OEC. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Understanding olfactory ensheathing glia and their prospect for nervous system repair. ► This meta-analysis predicts a central role of specific molecules and pathways in the pro-regenerative properties of OB-OEC. ► Genes with a role in “growth of neurites”, “blood vessel development”, “migration of cells” and “immune response” are overrepresented in OB-OEC. ► Hub-genes were indentified that may function as key genes in the above mentioned interrelated processes. ► 7 genes with diverse but intriguing functions in (neural) tissue repair were detected in all five OB-OEC microarray datasets. ► The results of this meta-analysis can serve as a repository for future research on the molecular biology of OEC.