Purine metabolism-associated key genes depict the immune landscape in gout patients.

Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis that affects approximately 1% to 6.8% of the global population. Less than half of gout patients received urate-lowering therapy and compliance to the therapy, along with the climbing prevalence, adds a tight burden to public health, not to mention the potential tumor risk incurred by persistent inflammation in the patients. Thus, the study aimed to explore the links between gout, immune responses, and tumor development in terms of genetic alterations. Using RNA-seq data of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from gout patients, we screened the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of gout patients and found that they were closely involved in purine metabolism. We then focused on purine metabolism-related DEGs, and machine learning algorithms validated that these genes can help to discriminate gout from healthy conditions. ssGSEA revealed that these DEGs were significantly linked to immune reprogramming concerning fluctuation in the proportion and activity of various immunocytes. Most importantly, they were also partially dysregulated in a wide range of malignancies and exerted a notable influence on the survival of tumor patients, especially LIHC (Liver hepatocellular carcinoma). Therefore, our study made an urgent appeal to due attention to the underlying crosstalk among purine metabolism, immune responses, and tumor development in gout patients.