Circular RNA Expression Profiles and Bioinformatic Analysis in Mouse Models of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Induced...

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are implicated in various diseases, but their function in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-induced cardiovascular disease is unclear.
• Understanding circRNA roles is critical for developing targeted therapies for OSA-related cardiac complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore circRNA expression profiles in OSA-induced cardiac injury using bioinformatics.
• To predict the functions of differentially expressed circRNAs and construct regulatory networks.

Main Methods:

• Established a mouse model of OSA via chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) exposure.
• Screened circRNA profiles using circRNA microarray and validated with qRT-PCR.
• Utilized Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses for functional prediction.
• Constructed circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks for identified circRNAs.

Main Results:

• Identified 124 differentially expressed circRNAs in CIH-treated cardiac tissues (101 up-regulated, 23 down-regulated).
• Validated microarray results using qRT-PCR for ten selected circRNAs.
• GO and KEGG analyses predicted functions of parental genes of differentially expressed circRNAs.
• Constructed a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network involving mmu_circRNA_014309 and mmu_circRNA_21856.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to reveal the significant role of differentially expressed circRNAs in the pathogenesis of OSA-induced cardiac damage.
• Findings advance the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of OSA-associated cardiovascular diseases.
• Identified circRNAs represent potential novel therapeutic targets for OSA-related cardiovascular conditions.