MicroRNA profiling reveals dysregulated microRNAs and their target gene regulatory networks in cemento-ossifying fibroma

Abstract

Background

Cemento-ossifying fibroma (COF) is a benign fibro-osseous neoplasm of uncertain pathogenesis and its treatment results morbidity. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and may represent therapeutic targets. The purpose of the study was to generate a comprehensive miRNA profile of COF compared to normal bone. Additionally, the most relevant pathways and target genes of differentially expressed miRNA were investigated by in silico analysis.

Methods

Nine COF and ten normal bone samples were included in the study. miRNA profiling was carried out by using TaqMan^®OpenArray^®Human MicroRNA panel containing 754 validated human miRNAs. We identified the most relevant miRNAs target genes through the leader gene approach, using STRING and Cytoscape software. Pathways enrichment analysis was performed using DIANA-miRPath.

Results

Eleven miRNAs were downregulated (hsa-miR-95-3p, hsa-miR-141-3p, hsa-miR-205-5p, hsa-miR-223-3p, hsa-miR-31-5p, hsa-miR-944, hsa-miR-200b-3p, hsa-miR-135b-5p, hsa-miR-31-3p, hsa-miR-223-5p, hsa-miR-200c-3p) and five were upregulated (hsa-miR-181a-5p, hsa-miR-181c-5p, hsa-miR-149-5p, hsa-miR-138-5p, hsa-miR-199a-3p) in COF compared to normal bone. Eighteen common target genes were predicted, and the leader genes approach identified the following genes involved in human COF: EZH2, XIAP, MET and TGFBR1. According to the biology of bone and COF, the most relevant Kegg-pathways revealed by enrichment analysis were Proteoglycans in cancer, miRNAs in cancer, Pathways in cancer, p53, PI3K-Akt, FoxO, and TGF-beta signalling pathways, which were previously found to be differentially regulated in bone neoplasms, odontogenic tumours and osteogenesis.

Conclusion

miRNA dysregulation occurs in COF and EZH2, XIAP, MET and TGFBR1 are potential targets for functional analysis validation.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2yn9Z9n