Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2025
Identification of RNAs Engaged in Direct RNA-RNA Interaction with a Long Non-Coding RNA
Published on: July 9, 2021
Construction of ceRNA network based on RNA-seq for identifying prognostic lncRNA biomarkers in Perthes disease
Tianjiu Zhang1, Xiaolin Hu2, Song Yu1
1Guizhou Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China.
Insights
This study reveals key molecular changes in a rabbit model of Perthes disease, identifying differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs. These findings offer new insights into the pathogenesis of this childhood hip condition.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (Perthes disease) affects children aged 2-15 years, causing osteonecrosis of the femoral head and physical limitations.
- The exact pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of Perthes disease are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), miRNAs, and mRNAs in a rabbit model of Perthes disease using transcriptome sequencing.
- To identify potential molecular pathways and genetic players involved in the development of Perthes disease.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on a rabbit model of Perthes disease.
- Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to analyze differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs).
- A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed using differentially expressed lncRNAs, miRNAs, and DEmRNAs.
Main Results:
- RNA-seq identified 77 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 239 miRNAs, and 1027 mRNAs.
- WGCNA revealed downregulation of genes associated with angiogenesis and platelet activation.
- A ceRNA network implicated specific lncRNAs (e.g., HIF3A), miRNAs (e.g., ocu-miR-574-5p), and mRNAs (e.g., ALOX12) in Perthes disease pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- The study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis of Perthes disease.
- The identified molecular players and pathways may serve as targets for future therapeutic strategies for Perthes disease.
Abstract:
Introduction: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease or Perthes disease is a condition that occurs in children aged 2 to 15 years, and is characterized by osteonecrosis of the femoral head, which results in physical limitations. Despite ongoing research, the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of Perthes disease remain unclear. In order to obtain further insights, the expression patterns of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), miRNAs, and mRNAs in a rabbit model of Perthes disease were analyzed in this study by transcriptome sequencing. Methods and results: The results of RNA-seq analyses revealed that 77 lncRNAs, 239 miRNAs, and 1027 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the rabbit model. This finding suggested that multiple genetic pathways are involved in the development of Perthes disease. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) network was subsequently constructed using the differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs), and network analysis revealed that the genes associated with angiogenesis and platelet activation were downregulated, which was consistent with the findings of Perthes disease. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was additionally constructed using 29 differentially expressed lncRNAs (including HIF3A and LOC103350994), 28 differentially expressed miRNAs (including ocu-miR-574-5p and ocu-miR-324-3p), and 76 DEmRNAs (including ALOX12 and PTGER2). Disscusion: The results obtained herein provide novel perspectives regarding the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of Perthes disease. The findings of this study can pave the way for the development of effective therapeutic strategies for Perthes disease in future.
