Decoding ulcerative colitis pathogenesis through transcriptomics: from dysregulated gene networks to targeted intervention strategies

HCLS1, ITGA4, and PDGFRB may represent core modules involved in T/B cell homing and activation, pro-inflammatory macrophage recruitment, and extracellular matrix responses. These genes interact with upregulated genes to promote the amplification of inflammation, counteracting with downregulated metabolic-related genes. Together, they contribute to the molecular foundation of the inflammatory and metabolic protective phenotype observed in ulcerative colitis.