Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING)

STRING (http://string-db.org/) is a biological database of known and predicted protein–protein interactions (PPIs), including direct (physical) and indirect (functional) associations. ¹⁷ Analysing the interactions between proteins may provide insights into the mechanisms responsible for the generation and development of diseases. We used STRING to assess potential PPI relationships and explore the interactions between DEGs to construct PPI networks for upregulated and downregulated DEGs. A confidence score >0.7 was set as significant, and disconnected nodes in the network were removed.