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Bioinformatical Analysis of miRNA-mRNA Interaction Network Underlying Macrophage Aging and Cholesterol-Responsive

Jianqing Li1, Xue Yin1, Bingyu Zhang1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou 215006, China.

Biomed Research International
|July 7, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Macrophage aging, linked to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), involves altered lipid metabolism. MiR-714 and FDFT1 may regulate cholesterol in aged macrophages, offering a potential new therapeutic target for AMD.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Macrophage aging is implicated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) pathogenesis.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of macrophage aging and cholesterol response is crucial for AMD research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify specific microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involved in macrophage aging.
  • To elucidate miRNA-mRNA interactions influencing macrophage response to cholesterol.
  • To gain insights into the mechanisms underlying AMD.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis of microarray data (GSE111304, GSE111382) using R software.
  • Identification of differentially expressed genes and miRNA-mRNA interactions via miRWalk, mirTarBase, and starBase.
  • Functional annotation (Gene Ontology, KEGG) and protein-protein interaction network construction using DAVID, STRING, and Cytoscape.

Main Results:

  • 14 miRNAs and 101 mRNAs were differentially expressed in aged versus young macrophages.
  • Lipid metabolic processes were significantly associated with macrophage aging.
  • miR-714 and 16 mRNAs showed differential expression in response to cholesterol, with FDFT1 identified as a key gene.

Conclusions:

  • Lipid metabolism is critical in macrophage aging and cholesterol response, linking it to AMD occurrence and progression.
  • The miR-714-FDFT1 axis may modulate cholesterol homeostasis in aged macrophages.
  • This axis presents a potential novel therapeutic target for AMD.

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