Table 3.

Top 20 genes differentially expressed in ileal mucosa ranked by absolute log2 fold change (logFC) in asthma vs controls. FDR—false-discovery ratio (Benjamini-Hochberg)

logFC	pFDR	Gene	Gene name and function
3.01	0.015	FCGBP	Fc Fragment Of IgG Binding Protein—binds IgG Fc and MUC2
2.78	0.015	MUC2	Mucin 2, Oligomeric Mucus/Gel-Forming—forms mucus layer protecting the intestinal (and airway) epithelium
2.73	0.024	DEFA1B	Defensin Alpha 1B—antimicrobial peptide
2.61	0.012	OLFM4	Olfactomedin 4—intestinal stem cell marker, also secreted by neutrophils during the formation of extracellular traps (NETs)
2.61	0.013	C1QB	Complement C1q B Chain—the complement bridges innate and adaptive immunity
2.48	0.021	ITLN1	Intelectin 1—binds bacterial glycans; adipokine (also known as omentin)
2.46	0.040	REG4	Regenerating Family Member 4—lectin-like protein binding manno-oligosaccharides
2.43	0.023	LYZ	Lysozyme—cleaves bacterial peptidoglycan
2.39	0.018	PLA2G2A	Phospholipase A2 Group IIA—phospholipase degrading bacterial membrane phospholipids; promotes Paneth cell development
2.36	0.017	DEFA6	Defensin Alpha 6—antimicrobial peptide
2.34	0.029	LOC100134294	Probe ILMN_3238960—unknown function; upregulated in ulcerative colitis
2.29	0.013	M160	CD163 Molecule Like—belongs to cysteine-rich scavenger receptors; may characterize a subset of CD163+colonic CD14+cells
2.28	0.021	GCG	Glucagon—the transcript encodes glucagon and three other enterohormones, including GLP-2 that stimulates crypt proliferation and gut barrier function
2.22	0.020	CEACAM5	CEA Cell Adhesion Molecule 5—cell adhesion molecule; may be elevated in various cancers
2.20	0.017	SST	Somatostatin—peptide hormone best known for inhibiting the pituitary; also interacts with enterohormones
2.20	0.007	PDGFRA	Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha; its activity associates with eosinophilia; PDGFRA rearrangement may cause chronic eosinophilic leukemia
2.19	0.017	FCGBP	Fc Fragment Of IgG Binding Protein (another probe)
2.17	0.020	CD24	CD24 Molecule—a peptide binding lectins; expressed by B-cells and granulocytes
2.17	0.038	HLA-DQA1	Major Histocompatibility Complex, Class II, DQ Alpha 1—presents antigens; its variants associate with autoimmunity against infliximab in inflammatory bowel diseases
2.13	0.043	ITLN2	Intelectin 2—may bind bacterial polysaccharides