Microarray profiling and functional analysis of differentially expressed plasma exosomal circular RNAs in Graves'...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Circulating RNAs (circRNAs) play roles in cellular functions.
• Exosomal circRNAs offer insights into Graves' disease (GD) pathogenesis and treatment.
• Understanding circRNA profiles in GD can reveal disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To profile differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcRs) in plasma exosomes of GD patients.
• To investigate the functions of identified DEcRs using bioinformatics analyses.
• To explore potential therapeutic targets for Graves' disease.

Main Methods:

• Exosomes were isolated from GD patients and healthy controls using ultracentrifugation.
• circRNA microarrays were used for profiling, followed by RT-qPCR validation.
• circRNA/microRNA/mRNA networks and pathway analyses (GO, KEGG) were performed.

Main Results:

• Fifteen DEcRs were identified in GD patients.
• hsa_circRNA_000102 was confirmed as significantly up-regulated in plasma exosomes of GD patients.
• Functional analysis predicted involvement in immune activation pathways, including viral infection and interferon-beta signaling.

Conclusions:

• hsa_circRNA_000102 is a key up-regulated exosomal circRNA in Graves' disease.
• This circRNA and its associated genes are implicated in immune system activation pathways.
• The findings highlight potential mechanisms of immune dysregulation in GD.