CCR7 and its related molecules may be potential biomarkers of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic progressive cardiovascular disease characterized by vascular remodeling and leading to right-heart failure. The purpose of this research was to further study the pathogenesis of PAH and to detect potential prognostic signatures. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) selected from GSE38267 were mostly enriched in inflammation-related pathways, suggesting inflammation may be involved in the occurrence and development of PAH. Through the prediction and verification of related miRNAs and long noncoding RNAs using online databases and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, CCR7 and its related molecules, including hsa-let-7e-5p and SNHG12, were identified as possible targets. The expression levels of CCR7, hsa-let-7e-5p and SNHG12 were then verified by quantitative RT-PCR in vivo and in vitro. Further study showed that silencing of SNHG12 decreased the expression of CCR7 under hypoxia treatment in vitro. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the relationship between hsa-let-7e-5p and SNHG12. Collectively, our research reveals that a long noncoding RNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network may be involved in the pathogenesis of PAH and suggests SNHG12, hsa-let-7e-5p and CCR7 as potential biomarkers for PAH.