miRNA Regulatory Networks Associated with Peripheral Vascular Diseases

Area of Science:

• Vascular Biology
• Molecular Medicine
• Genomics

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in disease pathogenesis.
• Previous studies identified altered miRNA expression in lower extremity artery disease (LEAD), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and chronic venous disease (CVD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare miRNA expression profiles between LEAD, AAA, and CVD patient groups.
• To identify similarities and differences in miRNA regulatory mechanisms across these vascular diseases.

Main Methods:

• Differential miRNA expression analysis using DESeq2 in R.
• Pairwise comparisons between disease groups (LEAD vs. AAA, LEAD vs. CVD, AAA vs. CVD).
• Functional and pathway analysis using the miRNet 2.0 online tool.

Main Results:

• Identified 10 differentially expressed miRNAs between LEAD and AAA.
• Identified 8 differentially expressed miRNAs between LEAD and CVD.
• Identified 17 differentially expressed miRNAs between AAA and CVD.
• Functional analysis linked dysregulated miRNAs to inflammation, cellular differentiation, motility, and death.

Conclusions:

• Distinct miRNA signatures exist across LEAD, AAA, and CVD.
• Shared miRNA-dependent regulatory pathways are implicated in the pathogenesis of these vascular diseases.
• Provides novel insights into miRNA roles in vascular disease development.