Identification of six miRNAs serving as predictive biomarkers in coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is quite a common disease with high risk. It was reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) had significant effect on the occurrence of CAD. The previously published results are inconsistent due to the parameters, such as sequencing platform, samples selection, and the filter conditions. Here we aimed to explore the critical miRNAs in the occurrence of CAD, which may function as the potential biomarkers. A total of 12 representative datasets of miRNAs related to the occurrence of miRNAs were finally selected, and the critical miRNAs were determined by the comparison of the overlap relations. TargetScan software was used to predict the target genes of these critical miRNAs. Besides, DAVID and Tfacts dataset were used to analyze the functional enrichment and the transcriptional factors analysis. At last, a total of six signature miRNAs were identified, among which five were significantly upregulated and one was downregulated. The target gene of upregulated miRNAs was mostly enriched in the process of RNA Polymerase II promoter and the transcription of DNA template, whereas the target genes of downregulated miRNAs were mostly enriched in the regulation of transcription, DNA-templated. Besides, the result of the transcriptional factor analysis showed that there were 43 factors coexisting in two kinds of target genes. In summary, six critical miRNAs, as well as the corresponding target genes and transcriptional factors, were identified in the occurrence of CAD by bioinformatics analysis. These identified miRNAs may function as potential biomarkers in the clinical management of CAD.