Integrated Transcriptomic Analysis of the miRNA-mRNA Interaction Network in Thin Endometrium

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Genomics
• Molecular Medicine

Background:

• Thin endometrium (TE) is a significant factor in implantation failure.
• The molecular mechanisms, particularly miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks, underlying TE development require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct and analyze miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in thin adhesive endometrium.
• To identify key genes and pathways involved in the pathogenesis of thin endometrium.

Main Methods:

• Integrative analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles from thin and adjacent normal endometrium of patients with intrauterine adhesion.
• Bioinformatic analyses including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses.
• Construction of miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks to identify hub genes.

Main Results:

• Identified 1,093 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 72 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in thin endometrium.
• DEGs and target genes were enriched in angiogenesis, cell growth regulation, and Wnt signaling pathways.
• Identified multiple hub genes (e.g., CAV1, MET, has-mir-200) involved in FoxO signaling, cell growth, inflammation, and autophagy pathways.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first integrated mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq analysis of thin adhesive endometrium.
• The identified miRNA-mRNA networks and hub genes offer novel molecular insights into thin endometrium formation.
• Findings contribute to understanding implantation failure and may guide future therapeutic strategies.