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Updated: Dec 7, 2025
Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization
Published on: June 7, 2016
Identification of lymph node metastasis-related microRNAs in breast cancer using bioinformatics analysis
Guangyu Gao1, Xinya Shi, Zhen Yao
1Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China.
Background:
Lymph node metastasis is a significant problem in breast cancer, and its underlying molecular mechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to research the molecular mechanism and to explore the key RNAs and pathways that mediate lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.
Methods:
GSE100453 and GSE38167 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and 569 breast cancer statistics were also downloaded from the TCGA database. Differentially expressed miRNAs were calculated by using R software and GEO2R. Gene ontology and Enriched pathway analysis of target mRNAs were analyzed by using the Database for Database of Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and R software. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was performed according to Metascape, String, and Cytoscape software.
Results:
In total, 6 differentially expressed miRNAs were selected, and 499 mRNAs were identified after filtering. The research of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) demonstrated that mRNAs enriched in certain tumor pathways. Also, certain hub mRNAs were highlighted after constructed and analyzed the PPI network. A total of 3 out of 6 miRNAs had a significant relationship with the overall survival (P < .05) and showed a good ability of risk prediction model of over survival.
Conclusions:
By utilizing bioinformatics analyses, differently expressed miRNAs were identified and constructed a complete gene network. Several potential mechanisms and therapeutic and prognostic targets of lymph node metastasis were also demonstrated in breast cancer.
Insights
This study identifies key microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involved in breast cancer lymph node metastasis. These findings reveal potential therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers for breast cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Lymph node metastasis is a critical challenge in breast cancer management.
- The molecular mechanisms driving breast cancer metastasis remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.
- To identify key RNA molecules and biological pathways involved in this process.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases.
- Performed differential expression analysis for microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs).
- Conducted pathway enrichment analysis and constructed protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks.
Main Results:
- Identified 6 differentially expressed miRNAs and 499 differentially expressed mRNAs.
- Enriched mRNAs were associated with tumor-related pathways.
- Highlighted key hub mRNAs and found 3 miRNAs significantly correlated with overall survival.
Conclusions:
- Bioinformatics analysis identified key differentially expressed miRNAs and constructed a comprehensive gene network.
- Several potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic/prognostic targets for breast cancer lymph node metastasis were elucidated.
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