Zizhong Wang, Yuan Li, Mengqi Zhou, Min Xiang, Jiangtao Lin
Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is driven by complex inflammatory processes in which neutrophil dysregulation plays a central role. Isonicotinylation (Kinic), a novel lysine acylation modification linked to cellular metabolism, has not yet been clearly associated with COPD. Methods We employed an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven, multi-omics framework. First, the Limma, WGCNA, and CIBERSORT algorithms were used to identify a Kinic- and neutrophil (KN)-associated shared molecular signature in the peripheral blood bulk profiles of COPD patients. Next, NMF and explainable machine learning identified molecular subgroups and developed a diagnostic model for COPD patients based on the KN-associated gene signature. In addition, a KN-associated pathogenic hub factor was identified, and its molecular and immune signatures in COPD were assessed using a cutting-edge analytical framework in spatial and temporal manners. An AI-based drug screening platform (DrugReflector) and molecular docking were used to identify therapeutic candidates. Finally, Lymphotoxin-beta (LTB) expression was validated in vitro using q-RT-PCR assays. Results We identified a robust five-gene KN-associated signature that demonstrated diagnostic and patient-stratification potential in COPD. LTB was identified as an upregulated Kinic-associated hub gene mainly distributed in neutrophils and involved in the regulation of COPD pathogenesis. Notably, BRD-K97481123 was identified as a potential LTB-targeting compound for the treatment of COPD. Conclusion This study unveils a novel KN-associated molecular axis in COPD pathogenesis, with LTB as a neutrophil-centric pathogenic factor. This axis provides a framework for patient stratification, offers a promising diagnostic biomarker, and identifies a potential therapeutic target, thereby linking a novel metabolic modification to neutrophilic inflammation in COPD.