Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41081924›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of legal medicine2026

Identification of specific molecular markers in severe heatstroke using transcriptomics techniques.

Zhiao Duan, Mei Wang, Yunchao Zhou, Jianghuan Lu, Yixin Ma, Yuzhao Xu, Jianqiang Deng, Hui Liu, Jianhua Chen

Abstract read
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Article in International journal of legal medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Zhiao DuanHainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center & Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (Tropical Forensic Medicine), Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan Province, China.
Mei WangDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
Yunchao ZhouHainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center & Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (Tropical Forensic Medicine), Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan Province, China.
Jianghuan LuHainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center & Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (Tropical Forensic Medicine), Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan Province, China.
Yixin MaHainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center & Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (Tropical Forensic Medicine), Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan Province, China.
Yuzhao XuHainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center & Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (Tropical Forensic Medicine), Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan Province, China.
Jianqiang DengHainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center & Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (Tropical Forensic Medicine), Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan Province, China. forensicpatho@163.com.
Hui LiuKey Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan Province, China. huiliufaguo@163.com.
Jianhua ChenHainan Provincial Tropical Forensic Engineering Research Center & Hainan Provincial Academician Workstation (Tropical Forensic Medicine), Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, Hainan Province, China. cjhtin86591@163.com.

Funding

Hainan Medical University RZ2300001971Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation 822RC699
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHeatstroke and fever-related deaths pose significant diagnostic challenges in forensic practice due to overlapping clinical manifestations. This study aims to identify specific molecular markers distinguishing these conditions through transcriptomic profiling of liver tissues in mouse models.

methodsWe established mouse models of severe heatstroke (exposure to 42℃ high-temperature environment) and fever (LPS-induced), and collected liver tissues for RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by DESeq2 and analyzed via GO and KEGG enrichment. Five candidate genes (Hspa1a, Hspa1b, Cyp7a1, Arrdc3, and G6pc) were validated by RT-qPCR and Western blotting.

resultsTranscriptome profiling revealed 5,567 DEGs between the two groups, including 142 heatstroke-specific and 254 fever-specific genes. Heatstroke was characterized by significant up-regulation of Hspa1a, Hspa1b, Cyp7a1, Arrdc3, and G6pc, implicating pathways related to protein homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and energy regulation. In contrast, fever predominantly induced immune- and inflammation-related genes such as Gbp2, Lcn2, Gm12250, Zbp1, and Ccrl2. Importantly, RT-qPCR and Western blot assays consistently validated the differential expression of the five key genes (Hspa1a, Hspa1b, Cyp7a1, Arrdc3, and G6pc), confirming their potential as reliable biomarkers for distinguishing heatstroke from fever.

conclusionThis study provides comparative transcriptomic evidence distinguishing heatstroke from fever. The identified markers, particularly Hspa1a, Hspa1b, Cyp7a1, Arrdc3, and G6pc, may serve as potential forensic indicators for differentiating hyperthermia-related deaths, while also offering new insights into the molecular responses underlying heat stress and fever.

Indexed as

Gene Expression ProfilingHeat StrokeTranscriptomeAnimalsBiomarkersBlotting, WesternDisease Models, AnimalFeverGenetic MarkersHSP70 Heat-Shock ProteinsLiverMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLReal-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionSequence Analysis, RNABiomarkersGenetic MarkersHSP70 Heat-Shock ProteinsFeverForensic scienceHeatstrokeSpecific molecular markersTranscriptomics techniques

Identifiers

PMID41081924
PMCPMC12808158

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.