Bioinformatics analysis of key genes and miRNAs associated with Stanford type A aortic dissection

Aortic dissection is one of the most detrimental cardiovascular diseases with a high risk of mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to examine the key genes and microRNAs associated with Stanford type A aortic dissection (AAD).

The expression data of AAD and healthy samples were downloaded from two microarray datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify highly preserved modules by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were selected and functionally annotated. The predicted interactions between the DEGs and DEmiRNAs were further illustrated.

In two highly preserved modules, 459 DEGs were identified. These DEGs were functionally enriched in the HIF1, Notch, and PI3K/Akt pathways. Furthermore, 6 DEmiRNAs that were enriched in the regulation of vasculature development and HIF1 pathway, were predicted to target 23 DEGs.

Our study presented several promising modulators, both DEGs and DEmiRNAs, as well as possible pathological pathways for AAD, which narrows the scope for further fundamental research.