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Identification and functional analysis of specific MS risk miRNAs and their target genes
Deling Luo1, Jingguo Wang1, Xuemei Zhang1
1Department of Neurology, The second Affiliated hospital of Harbin Medical University, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.
Background:
It has been widely acknowledged that abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) may lead to the occurrence and development of MS through regulating target genes. Currently, only few studies have comprehensively evaluated the function and relationship between MS-related miRNAs and their target genes.
Methods:
Differentially expressed miRNAs in MS patients' serum and plasma were selected by reviewing numerous literatures manually. Then, thousands of target genes were screened by several online databases, of which 899 MS-related genes were further identified. Gene ontology, protein-protein interaction and KEGG pathway analysis were used to determine high-risk pathways and MS risk genes. Transcriptomic datasets from GEO was analyzed to evaluate these risk genes.
Results:
28 MS-related miRNAs were extracted. MiR-30e, miR-93, miR-155 were identified as the most crucial miRNAs through targeting hub genes: PIK3CA, PIK3R1, PIK3R2 and MAPK8. Seven immune pathways were screened out according to KEGG pathway analysis. Six transcriptomic datasets were used to evaluate results, and PIK3CA was differentially expressed in MS patients compared with healthy donors.
Conclusions:
According to our research, MS-related miRNAs and their target genes of MS were identified and comprehensively evaluated. This work may provide a new insight for discovering pathogenesis and possible biomarkers of MS in future studies.
Insights
This study identifies key microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. These findings offer new insights into MS mechanisms and potential biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression is linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) development by regulating target genes.
- Limited research comprehensively evaluates the interplay between MS-related miRNAs and their target genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and comprehensively evaluate miRNAs and their target genes associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To provide novel insights into MS pathogenesis and potential diagnostic biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Manual literature review to select differentially expressed miRNAs in MS patients.
- Bioinformatic analysis of target genes using online databases, Gene Ontology, PPI, and KEGG pathway analysis.
- Evaluation of identified risk genes using transcriptomic datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).
Main Results:
- Identified 28 MS-related miRNAs, with miR-30e, miR-93, and miR-155 highlighted as crucial via targeting PIK3CA, PIK3R1, PIK3R2, and MAPK8.
- KEGG pathway analysis revealed seven significant immune pathways.
- PIK3CA was found to be differentially expressed in MS patients compared to healthy controls across six transcriptomic datasets.
Conclusions:
- Successfully identified and evaluated MS-related miRNAs and their target genes.
- This research offers a new perspective on MS pathogenesis.
- The findings may contribute to the discovery of future MS biomarkers.
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