Identification of a Long Noncoding RNA-Associated Competing Endogenous RNA Network in Intracranial Aneurysm

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a cerebrovascular disorder characterized by an abnormally bulged artery in the brain and subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by IA rupture with a high ratio of fatality and morbidity. However, the genetic cause of IA remains largely unknown.

A dysregulated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) -associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed by using sample-matched microRNA (miRNA), lncRNA, and messenger (mRNA) expression profiles in 12 saccular IA samples and paired control arteries.

In this study, 1150 lncRNAs, 2545 mRNAs, and 286 miRNAs were differentially expressed in IAs compared with control arteries. Using miRanda, a ceRNA score was assigned, and gene expression methods were used to construct a ceRNA network. The network consists of 8401 miRNA-lncRNA-mRNA interactions (199 miRNAs, 445 lncRNAs, 1116 mRNAs; P < 0.05). Further Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that the mRNAs involved in the ceRNA network were involved in the regulation of muscle contraction and vascular smooth muscle contraction.

By comparing IAs and their control arteries, we identified differentially expressed lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs and suggested ceRNA roles in the pathogenesis of IA. These findings may help to characterize the pathogenesis of IA and provide novel therapeutic targets in the future for patients with IA.