en Medical Genetics Medical Genetics Original Research Original Research <span style="font-size:13pt"><span style="text-justify:kashida"><span style="text-kashida:0%"><span style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-style:italic"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal">Background: </span></span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal">Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a common disorder of the upper gastrointestinal tract, is associated with abdominal pain and acid regurgitation. GERD is considered a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. In this study, the key genes associated with GERD are determined and discussed. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:13pt"><span style="text-justify:kashida"><span style="text-kashida:0%"><span style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-style:italic"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal">&nbsp;&nbsp; Methods: </span></span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal">Gene expression profiles of GERD samples and controls were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and assessed via PPI network analysis to find crucial genes. These crucial genes were validated using the GeneCards database by comparison with the top GERD-related genes. The crucial genes are evaluated via directed PPI network analysis, and the key genes are determined. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:13pt"><span style="text-justify:kashida"><span style="text-kashida:0%"><span style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-style:italic"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal">&nbsp;&nbsp; Results: </span></span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal">A total number of 104 central significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified as separators of GERD samples of controlled individuals. GeneCards analysis demonstrated that </span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt">ACE, COL5A1, IL1A, IL1B, NGF, POSTN</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal">, and</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"> PTGS2</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal"> are the crucial genes. Findings showed </span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt">PTGS2</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal"> and </span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt">IL1B</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal"> are two key genes that promote GERD development. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:13pt"><span style="text-justify:kashida"><span style="text-kashida:0%"><span style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-style:normal">&nbsp;&nbsp; <b>Conclusion: </b>The results of the current study suggest that PTGS2 inhibition may represent a potential therapeutic strategy that requires further experimental validation<b>.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> &nbsp; Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2, Gene expression, Network analysis 699 706 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-8378-5&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mostafa Rezaei Tavirani tavirany2@yahoo.com 200319475328460099070 200319475328460099070 No Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Babak Arjmand arjmand@tums.ac.ir 200319475328460099071 200319475328460099071 No Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zahra Razzaghi z.razzaghi@sbmu.ac.ir 200319475328460099072 200319475328460099072 Yes Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Fatemeh Bandarian fbandarian@yahoo.com 200319475328460099073 200319475328460099073 No Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mitra Rezaei dr_mrezaie@yahoo.com 200319475328460099074 200319475328460099074 No Genomic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Reza M Robati mrobati@gmail.com 200319475328460099075 200319475328460099075 No Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Farideh Razi farideh.razi@gmail.com 200319475328460099076 200319475328460099076 No Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran