Identification of Myocardial Infarction-Associated Genes Using Integrative microRNA-Gene Expression Network Analysis

It is crucial to identify potential molecular targets and their interaction involved in myocardial infarction (MI). In our study, we obtained microarray data of MI from GEO database and identify differentially expressed mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs). Compared with normal tissues, 686 mRNAs and 16 miRNAs were differentially expressed in MI. Subsequently, function enrichment analysis was performed to further investigate their biological functions. Also, gene set enrichment analysis indicated they were enriched into Pathway in cancer. Besides, protein-protein interaction analysis was performed to assess the interactions of the differentially expressed mRNAs. Finally, we constructed an mRNA-miRNA interaction network based on the overlapping genes between the differentially expressed mRNAs and predicted target genes of dysregulated miRNAs. The network demonstrated three MI-associated miRNAs, miR-498, miR-181a, and miR-612, and 45 novel target genes, as well as their interaction involved in MI. What is more, in vitro and in vivo quantitative real-time PCR confirmed our results were consistent. In conclusion, miR-498, miR-181a, and miR-612 may participate in the pathogenesis of MI and may serve as the potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers.