Identification of functional lncRNAs through constructing a lncRNA-associated ceRNA network in myocardial infarction

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Myocardial infarction (MI) is ischemic necrosis of heart muscle, a critical aspect of coronary heart disease.
• The role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in MI pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.
• Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks offer a framework for studying regulatory interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct a scale-free lncRNA-associated ceRNA network to identify key lncRNAs in MI.
• To explore the functional roles and potential biomarker significance of lncRNAs in MI.
• To uncover novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for MI through ceRNA network analysis.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a scale-free lncRNA-associated ceRNA network.
• Identification of hub subnetworks and functional modules within the ceRNA network.
• Network centrality analysis and enrichment analysis of identified modules.
• Validation of miRNA and mRNA functions in MI-related biological processes.

Main Results:

• Disease genes for MI were significantly central in the constructed ceRNA network.
• Identified 2 MI-related functional modules, indicating lncRNA involvement in local network functions.
• Three crucial MI-related lncRNAs (CTD-3092A11.2, RP5-821D11.7, CTC-523E23.1) were identified as potential biomarkers.
• A total of 20 functional lncRNAs were identified, suggesting their roles in MI progression.

Conclusions:

• lncRNAs play significant roles in MI pathogenesis through ceRNA networks.
• The identified lncRNAs, particularly CTD-3092A11.2, RP5-821D11.7, and CTC-523E23.1, show promise as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for MI.
• This study provides novel insights into ceRNA networks for understanding and potentially treating MI.