Comprehensive analysis of aberrantly expressed circRNAs, mRNAs and lncRNAs in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Background The location of nasopharyngeal cancer is hidden, so it is difficult to diagnose at an early stage. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression profiles of circRNAs, mRNAs and IncRNAs and to provide some basis for further studies. Methods Expression profiles of circRNAs, mRNAs, and lncRNAs were analyzed using microarray techniques. The differentially expressed ncRNA was calculated by bioinformatics. Results A total of 3048 circRNAs, 2179 lncRNAs, and 2015 mRNAs were detected to be significantly differentially expressed in NPC. The most upregulated circRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs were hsa‐circ‐0067562, NONHSAT232922.1, and HOXB13, respectively. And, the most downregulated circRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs were hsa_circ_0078837, lnc‐TTC8‐4:3, and LTF, respectively. The number of upregulated DE lncRNAs was more than twice than those downregulated. Our data showed that 80.44% of pairs of lncRNAs and cis‐mRNAs demonstrated positive correlations. For lncRNAs and trans‐mRNAs pairs, 53.7% of pairs showed positive correlation. LncRNA‐mediated cis regulation is a prevalent regulatory mode in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. CR1, LRMP and SORBS2 are predicted to be mediated not only by cis‐acting lncRNA modes of action, but also by trans‐acting lncRNA mechanisms. Additionally, we constructed a diagnostic prediction model with a high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion Our study characterized the landscape of circRNAs, mRNAs and lncRNAs in NPC tissue and provided novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of NPC.