Forecasting the Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Follicle Development Following Premature Ovarian Insufficiency by Network Interaction Analysis

Background and Objective: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is proposed to have a potential regenerative effect on the ovaries following premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), however, the main impact on the process of follicle development (folliculogenesis) remains unclear. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) or network interaction analysis enables us to predict the targets of PRP’s biomolecules using biological data through public databases and platforms. Therefore, this method is more efficient in time and cost than traditional laboratory procedures. The purpose of this study was to predict the targets of PRP‘s biomolecules on folliculogenesis following POI using PPI analysis and to clarify if those predictive targets integrate into PI3K/Akt signaling pathway which is an important pathway in folliculogenesis. Materials and Methods: Mining data targets of POI, PRP and folliculogenesis was done by GeneCards. Only genes with “protein-coding” category were analyzed further. Network analysis was performed using Cytoscape and STRING. Finally, STRING, Enricher and ShinyGO platforms were conducted to analyze gene ontology, including biological processes, molecular function and cellular components, as well as pathways. Results: Network analysis with Cytoscape and STRING discovered 107 gene hubs for POI, PRP and folliculogenesis. Analysis of KEGG pathway using STRING, Enricher and ShinyGO identified 43 genes integrated into PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. From the KEGG pathway, PI3K and Akt were revealed as two main targets following PRP treatment for POI patients. Conclusion: Biomolecules in PRP may recover ovarian follicle development following POI through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.