Study on Circulating lncRNA Expression Profile in Patients with Cerebral Infarction

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Cerebral infarction (CI) is a major cause of disability and mortality.
• The epigenetic pathogenesis of CI, particularly involving long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the differential expression profile of circulating lncRNAs in patients with acute CI compared to healthy controls.
• To explore the potential epigenetic mechanisms and diagnostic value of specific lncRNAs in CI.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were collected from 40 acute CI patients and 40 healthy controls.
• High-throughput sequencing was used to determine the circulating lncRNA expression profile.
• Bioinformatics analyses, including GO, KEGG, and gene expression network construction, were performed.
• Specific lncRNAs (lnc-ZNF32-1:1 and lnc-PCGF5-2:1) were validated for diagnostic potential.

Main Results:

• A significant difference in circulating lncRNA expression was observed between CI patients and healthy controls, with 512 known lncRNAs and 421 known mRNAs showing differential expression.
• Differentially expressed mRNAs were enriched in pathways such as HTLV-I infection and pathways in cancer.
• lnc-ZNF32-1:1 and lnc-PCGF5-2:1 demonstrated potential diagnostic value for CI, with assessed specificity and sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The distinct lncRNA expression profile in CI patients suggests a significant role for lncRNAs in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of cerebral infarction.
• lnc-ZNF32-1:1 and lnc-PCGF5-2:1 may serve as promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis of CI.