University Of Tehran Press Pollution 2383-451X 11 4 2025 10 01 An In Silico Study on Target Gene Identification and Oral Health Conditions Linked to Coal Dust Exposure 1057 1069 101755 10.22059/poll.2025.386470.2693 EN Marvel Wendel Faculty of Dentistry, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia 0009-0007-8207-3711 Amy Nindia Carabelly Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia Juliyatin Putri Utami Department of Biomedic, Faculty of Dentistry, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia 0000-0002-7121-3949 Journal Article 2024 12 10 The second-largest coal-producing region in Indonesia is South Kalimantan. Coal mines have an impact on the accumulation of coal dust that flies into the residential areas of local communities. The prediction of coal dust exposure-induced genes and health conditions can be conducted through in silico study. This study is aimed to identify target genes and oral health conditions linked to coal dust exposure through an in silico study. Key coal compounds and oral health-related target genes were determined using network pharmacology analysis platforms. The datasets were downloaded from CTD database. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID bioinformatics. PPI network was constructed using STRING. The disease-related genes integrative analysis was performed through CTD and HPA. Fifteen coal exposure markers were obtained to identify the gene interaction. The  two main exposure markers were particulate matter and benzo(a)pyrene. There were 20 genes with more than 100 interactions selected as the coal dust exposure marker-related genes. Information on biological processes, cellular components, molecular functions, and pathway enrichment were obtained (p<0.05, FDR corrected). The PPI network was constructed. Target genes related to oral health conditions and coal dust exposure were found to be IL6, PTGS2, TNF, IL1B, CXCL8, MAPK3, TP53, RELA, CCL2, and HMOX1. The oral health conditions that were strongly linked to coal dust exposure were inflammation, necrosis, edema, pain, hyperplasia, and neoplasms. In conclusion, the main target gene identified was IL6, indicating a major role in inflammatory pathways affecting oral health conditions linked to coal dust exposure. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_101755_9dce1d5607897ed27471e1bf804400e2.pdf