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Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: January 26, 2024
Identification of Key Genes and Long Noncoding RNA-Associated Competing Endogenous RNA (ceRNA) Networks in
Zhan Zhang1, Ping Wang1, Linlin Zhang1,2
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan Province, China.
Insights
This study identifies key genes and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) networks in early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE). LncRNAs MIR193BHG and GATA3-AS1 show potential as diagnostic biomarkers for EOPE.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder causing significant maternal and perinatal mortality.
- Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in various diseases, including preeclampsia.
- Early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE) requires identification of key molecular players and regulatory networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key genes and lncRNA-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE).
- To explore the diagnostic potential of specific lncRNAs in EOPE.
Main Methods:
- Differential expression analysis of lncRNAs and genes in EOPE placental tissues using Human LncRNA Array v4.
- Construction of lncRNA-mRNA coexpression and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks to identify hub genes.
- Development of ceRNA networks using miRWalk and LncBase v2.
- Validation of lncRNA expression (MIR193BHG, PROX1-AS1, GATA3-AS1) and diagnostic value via qRT-PCR and ROC curves.
Main Results:
- Identified 6 hub genes (SPP1, CCR2, KIT, ENG, ACKR1, FLT1) in EOPE placental tissues.
- Constructed a ceRNA network comprising 21 lncRNAs, 3 mRNAs, and 69 miRNAs.
- Found elevated expression of lncRNA MIR193BHG and GATA3-AS1 in EOPE, demonstrating good diagnostic value.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the lncRNA-related ceRNA network in EOPE.
- LncRNAs MIR193BHG and GATA3-AS1 are identified as potential prognostic biomarkers for EOPE.
Background:
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific hypertension syndrome and is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be abnormally expressed in many diseases, including preeclampsia. The present study is aimed at identifying the key genes and lncRNA-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE).
Methods:
We investigated expression profiles of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and genes (DEGs) in placental tissues of EOPE and healthy controls with Human LncRNA Array v4. The potential functions of DEGs and DElncRNAs were predicted using the clusterProfiler package. The lncRNA-mRNA coexpression network was constructed via Pearson's correlation coefficient. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was constructed, and the hub genes were obtained using the STRING database and Cytoscape. The ceRNA networks were constructed based on miRWalk and LncBase v2. qRT-PCR was performed to confirm the expression of lncRNA MIR193BHG, PROX1-AS1, and GATA3-AS1. ROC curves were performed to assess the clinical value of lncRNA MIR193BHG, PROX1-AS1, and GATA3-AS1 in the diagnosis of EOPE.
Results:
We found 6 hub genes (SPP1, CCR2, KIT, ENG, ACKR1, and FLT1) altered in placental tissues of EOPE and constructed a ceRNA network, including 21 lncRNAs, 3 mRNAs, and 69 miRNAs. The expression of lncRNA MIR193BHG and GATA3-AS1 were elevated and showed good clinical values for diagnosing EOPE.
Conclusion:
This study provides novel insights into the lncRNA-related ceRNA network in EOPE and identified two lncRNAs as potential prognostic biomarkers in EOPE.
