Project description:Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in populations aged >65 years worldwide. However, the underlying mechanisms of AAA based on the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis have remained elusive. In the present study, differently expressed long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA networks in AAA were constructed by analyzing public datasets, including GSE7084, GSE24194 from rats and that of a previous study. A total of 1,219 mRNAs, 2,093 lncRNAs and 57 miRNAs were identified to differently express in AAA. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed to explore the potential roles of differently expressed lncRNAs based on their regulating mRNAs. Based on the ceRNA hypothesis, lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks in AAA were, for the first time, constructed at a system-wide level. The present study identified 5 upregulated lncRNAs [nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense RNA 1, small Cajal body-specific RNA 10, AC005224.4 and SUMO1/sentrin/SMT3-specific peptidase 3-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A1] and the downregulated zinc ribbon domain containing 1 antisense RNA 1 as key lncRNAs in ceRNA networks. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to screen ceRNA networks in AAA. In addition, key lncRNA-mRNA-biological processes analysis indicated that these key lncRNAs were involved in regulating signal transduction, protein amino acid phosphorylation, immune response, transcription, development and cell differentiation. The present study provides novel clues to explore the molecular mechanisms of AAA progression in terms of lncRNA implication.
Project description:Gelsemium elegans (Gardner & Champ.) Benth. (GE) has therapeutic effects for pain and malignant tumors but also has high toxicity. Its mechanism of toxicity has not yet been fully clarified, thus limiting its application. Meanwhile, evidence has shown that circRNAs are closely related to the progression of disease. However, very little is known about their expression profiles during intoxication. In this paper, circRNA/mRNA microarrays were respectively performed to detect their expression profiles in mice with acute GE intoxication versus normal controls. CircRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR in subsequent experiments. A regulation pattern of circRNA→miRNA→mRNA was deduced based on intersection analysis of circRNA/mRNA microarrays. The results revealed circRNAs (143) and mRNAs (1,921) were significantly expressed during intoxication. Most of the circRNAs were exonic, and most distributions in chromosomes were transcribed from chr1, chr2, chr7, and chr11. Furthermore, dysregulated expression of mmu-circRNA-013703 and mmu-circRNA-010022 was verified. Then a circRNA-targeted miRNA-mRNA co-expression network was constructed. The network map contained 2 circRNAs, 52 miRNAs, and 752 mRNAs. GO & KEGG analysis further predicted that mmu-circRNA-013703 and mmu-circRNA-010022 may participate in cellular survival/demise-related, neuron/synapse-related, and channel-related pathways. Based on functional modules analysis, a new network was formed, in which mmu-circRNA-013703 VS mmu-miR-361-3p linked to most mRNAs. Most of these mRNAs were known to be involved in the aforementioned functional module. This indicated that mmu-circRNA-013703 functioned as a sponge of miRNAs to regulate the more comprehensive circRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression network. Our approach revealed a landscape of dysregulated circRNA-miRNA-mRNA and may be valuable for the identification of new biomarkers during intoxication.
Project description:BackgroundMacrophage play a crucial role in regulating tumor progression. This study intended to investigate the circular RNA (circRNA) regulatory network associated with macrophage infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsThe immune cell fractions of HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium were calculated by Estimation of the Proportion of Immune and Cancer cells algorithm. The differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs), microRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) were identified from HCC and adjacent non-tumor cases of TCGA or Gene Expression Omnibus database. The DEmRNAs related to macrophage were selected by weighted gene co-expression network analysis and then utilized to generate the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network. A hub circRNA regulatory network was established based on the co-expressed DEmiRNAs and DEmRNAs owning contrary correlation with the clinical characteristics, survival and macrophage infiltration level. A gene signature based on the DEmRNAs in hub network was also generated for further evaluation. The circRNA binding bite for miRNA was detected by luciferase assay.ResultsHigh macrophage fraction predicted good survival for HCC. A circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed by 27 macrophage related DEmRNAs, 21 DEmiRNAs, and 15 DEcircRNAs. Among this network, the expression of hsa-miR-139-5p was negatively correlated with CDCA8, KPNA2, PRC1 or TOP2A. Hsa-miR-139-5p low or targeted DEmRNA high expression was associated with low macrophage infiltration, high grade, advanced stage and poor prognosis of HCC. Additionally, the risk score generated by 4-DEmRNA signature could reflect the macrophage infiltration status and function as an independent prognostic factor for HCC. Finally, hsa_circ_0007456 acting on hsa-miR-139-5p related network was viewed as the hub circRNA regulatory network. Taken together, some circRNA regulatory networks may be associated with macrophage infiltration, which provides clues for mechanism study and therapeutic strategies of HCC.
Project description:Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease that is pervasive in life, and the incidence and mortality of OA are increasing, causing many adverse effects on people's life. Therefore, it is very vital to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of OA. ncRNA is a nonprotein-coding RNA that does not translate into proteins but participates in protein translation. At the RNA level, it can perform biological functions. Many studies have found that miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA are closely related to the course of OA and play important regulatory roles in transcription, post-transcription, and post-translation, which can be used as biological targets for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of OA. In this review, we summarized and described the various roles of different types of miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA in OA, the roles of different lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis in OA, and the possible prospects of these ncRNAs in clinical application.
Project description:Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal malignancy in the female reproductive system. Growing evidences demonstrates that competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network play crucial roles in the occurrence and progression of tumors. Therefore, we aimed to explore and identify novel mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA ceRNA networks associated with prognosis of OC. Methods: The differentially expressed gene (DEGs) of four expression profiles datasets (GSE5438, GSE40595, GSE38666 and GSE26712) were collected from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed with NetworkAnalyst. Intersection of DEGs were further employed for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway analysis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and hub genes of DEGs were also identified. The expression levels and survival analysis of the hub genes in OC and their upstream miRNAs and lncRNAs were performed by various bioinformatics databases. More importantly, ceRNA networks were constructed based on mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA in OC. Results: A total of 178 DEGs including 38 upregulated and 140 downregulated genes from intersected DEGs of four expression profiles were identified in OC. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that the commonly DEGs were enriched in regulating enzyme inhibitor activity, glycosaminoglycan and G protein-coupled receptor binding, cell morphogenesis, and involved in pathways including metabolic process, proteoglycans in cancer. Top 10 hub genes with higher connectivity degree were selected for subsequent expression and prognosis analysis. After take expression levels and prognostic roles of hub genes and their upstream miRNAs and lncRNAs in OC into consideration, 2 mRNAs (TACC3 and CXCR4), 2 miRNAs (hsa-miR-425-5p and hsa-miR-146a-5p) and 3 lncRNAs (FUT8-AS1, LINC00665 and LINC01535) were significantly associated with the poor prognosis of OC. The mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA networks (TACC3-hsa-miR-425-5p-FUT8-AS1 and CXCR4-hsa-miR-146a-5p-LINC00665/LINC01535) were eventually constructed in OC based on ceRNA mechanism. Conclusion: We successfully constructed novel ceRNA network associated with the prognosis of ovarian cancer, which may provide a new strategy for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of OC.
Project description:IntroductionCompeting endogenous RNA (ceRNA) appears to be an important post-transcriptional manner that regulates gene expression through a miRNA-mediated mechanism. Mutations in exon-19 of EGFR were frequently observed in lung cancer genes, which were associated with EGFR activity and EGFR-targeted therapies.MethodsWe explored the transcriptome regulated by mutation in EGFR exon-19 E746-A750 fragment via using a network modeling strategy. We applied transcriptome sequencing to detect the deletion process of EGFR exon-19 E746-A750 fragment. Bio-informatics analyses were used to predict the gene target pairs and explain their potential roles in tumorigenesis and progression of lung cancer.ResultsWe conducted an explorative lncRNA/miRNA/circRNA and mRNA expression study with two groups of lung adenocarcinoma tissues, including EGFR exon-19 E746-A750 deletion group and EGFR exon-19 wild-type group. Meanwhile, we screen out the hub genes related to the EGFR-19-D patient. Significant pathways and biological functions potentially regulated by the deregulated 128 non-coding genes were enriched.ConclusionOur work provides an important theoretical, experimental and clinical foundation for further research on more effective targets for the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of lung cancer.
Project description:CircRNAs are a group of endogenous small noncoding RNAs that are involved in multiple diseases including cancers. At present, the functions of circRNAs in breast cancer need to be further explored. In this study, 3 pairs of breast cancer and paracancer tissues with axillary lymph node metastasis were collected for circRNA high-throughput sequencing. We have identified 17,966 distinct circRNA candidates. Significant differential expressions were found in 136 circRNAs in breast cancer tissues relative to the matched paracancer tissues. We aslo identified differentially expressed 156 miRNAs and 1105 mRNAs in breast cancer tissues and normal breast tissues from public databases. Then we constructed a regulatory ceRNA network. 12 mRNAs were associated with prognosis of breast cancer. We also constructed a circRNAs-mediated subnetwork which might be related to prognosis of breast cancer. This article provides a better understanding of circRNAs-mediated ceRNA regulatory network by which circRNAs compete for endogenous RNAs in breast cancer.
Project description:ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify potential biomarkers in the tubulointerstitium of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and comprehensively analyze its mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA/circRNA network.MethodsThe expression data (GSE108112 and GSE200818) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/). Identification and enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were performed. the PPI networks of the DEGs were constructed and classified using the Cytoscape molecular complex detection (MCODE) plugin. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify critical gene modules. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis were used to screen for key biomarkers of the tubulointerstitium in FSGS, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine their diagnostic accuracy. The screening results were verified by quantitative real-time-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The transcription factors (TFs) affecting the hub genes were identified by Cytoscape iRegulon. The mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA/circRNA network for identifying potential biomarkers was based on the starBase database.ResultsA total of 535 DEGs were identified. MCODE obtained eight modules. The green module of WGCNA had the greatest association with the tubulointerstitium in FSGS. PPARG coactivator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A) was screened as a potential tubulointerstitial biomarker for FSGS and verified by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The TFs FOXO4 and FOXO1 had a regulatory effect on PPARGC1A. The ceRNA network yielded 17 miRNAs, 32 lncRNAs, and 50 circRNAs.ConclusionsPPARGC1A may be a potential biomarker in the tubulointerstitium of FSGS. The ceRNA network contributes to the comprehensive elucidation of the mechanisms of tubulointerstitial lesions in FSGS.
Project description:Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) are adult stem cells residing in the bone marrow, characterized by their capacity for multi-directional differentiation, self-renewal, migration, and engraftment. Serving as seed cells, BMSCs play a pivotal role in the regeneration of bone defects. Hence, investigating the transcription factors and signaling pathways involved in the regulation of osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs holds significant importance. Recent research has unveiled that certain circular RNAs (circRNAs) can function as molecular sponges, influencing the osteogenic differentiation process of mesenchymal stem cells. However, many circRNAs remain undiscovered, and their precise mechanisms remain elusive. Therefore, the objective of this study is to construct an osteogenic differentiation-related circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in hBMSCs. Subsequently, through bioinformatics analysis, we constructed a ceRNA network related to the osteogenic differentiation ability of hBMSCs, comprising 22 circRNAs, 17 miRNAs, and 15 mRNAs. The potential circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axes, including the role of hsa_circ_0001600 in promoting the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs through the targeted regulation of hsa-miR-542-3p, were validated through in vitro experiments.
Project description:BackgroundOsteosarcoma is a common malignant primary bone tumor in adolescents and children. Numerous studies have shown that circRNAs were involved in the proliferation and invasion of various tumors. However, the role of circRNAs in osteosarcoma remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the regulatory network among circRNA-miRNA-mRNA in osteosarcoma.MethodsThe circRNA (GSE140256), microRNA (GSE28423), and mRNA (GSE99671) expression profiles of osteosarcoma were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed circRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs were identified. CircRNA-miRNA interactions and miRNA-mRNA interactions were determined by Circular RNA Interactome (CircInteractome) database and microRNA Data Integration Portal (mirDIP) database, respectively. Then, we constructed a regulatory network. Function enrichment analysis of miRNA and mRNA was performed by DIANA-miRPath v3.0 and Metascape database, respectively. mRNAs with significant prognostic value were identified based on expression profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and we constructed a subnetwork for them. To make the most of the network, we used the CLUE database to predict potential drugs for the treatment of osteosarcoma based on mRNA expression in the network. And we used the STITCH database to analyze and validate the interactions among these drugs and mRNAs, and to further screen for potential drugs.ResultsA total of 9 circRNAs, 19 miRNAs, 67 mRNAs, 54 pairs of circRNA-miRNA interactions and 110 pairs of miRNA-mRNA interactions were identified. A circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed. Function enrichment analysis indicated that these miRNAs and mRNAs in the network were involved in the process of tumorigenesis and immune response. Among these mRNAs, STC2 and RASGRP2 with significantly prognostic value were identified, and we constructed a subnetwork for them. Based on mRNA expression in the network, three potential drugs, quinacridine, thalidomide and zonisamide, were screened for the treatment of osteosarcoma. Among them, quinacridine and thalidomide have been proved to have anti-tumor effects in previous studies, while zonisamide has not been reported. And a corresponding drug-protein interaction network was constructed.ConclusionOverall, we constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network to investigate the possible mechanism in osteosarcoma, and predicted that quinacridine, thalidomide and zonisamide could be potential drugs for the treatment of osteosarcoma.