Integrated analysis of transcriptome profiling predicts potential lncRNA and circRNA targets in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate numerous genes and influence the progression of various human diseases, including cancer. The role of regulatory ncRNAs implicated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), as well as their target genes, remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate specific long non-coding (lnc)RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) and mRNAs associated with the molecular pathogenesis of NPC, and to predict the underlying target genes of specific lncRNAs and circRNAs. The expression levels of lncRNAs, circRNAs and mRNAs in NPC and chronic nasopharyngitis tissues were detected and analyzed using microarray and bioinformatics techniques. A total of 2.80% lncRNAs (425 upregulated and 431 downregulated) were significantly differentially expressed (DE) between the two tissue types. Additionally, 0.96% circRNAs (18 upregulated and 13 downregulated) were significantly DE, while 2.94% mRNAs (426 upregulated and 341 downregulated) were significantly DE between the two tissue types. In total, 420 NPC-associated nearby encoding genes (196 up-and 224 downregulated) of the DE lncRNAs were identified. Overlap analysis identified 23 DE circRNAs and their corresponding target genes, with 37 microRNAs and 50 mRNAs, from which 14 interaction networks were constructed. Subsequent pathway analysis revealed 221 DE target genes corresponding to 31 key signaling pathways associated with NPC, 14 of which may represent hub genes associated with NPC pathophysiology. Thus, certain lncRNAs, circRNAs and mRNAs are aberrantly expressed in NPC tissues, and partially specific lncRNAs, circRNAs and their target genes may influence the tumorigenesis and progression of NPC. Target prediction and regulatory network identification may help to determine the pathogenic mechanisms of NPC.

miRNAs derived from circulating small extracellular vesicles as diagnostic biomarkers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…42,43 Additionally, miR-486-3p is a member of the regulatory network associated with the pathophysiology of NPC. 44 Although the role of miR-486-5p in NPC has not been reported previously, it may serve as a biomarker for the recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma after operation. 45 Previous studies have revealed that miR-486-5p mediates the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and chemosensitivity of certain cancers.…”

TMPO-AS1 Regulates the Aggressiveness-Associated Traits of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells Through Sponging miR-320a

“… 18 Multiple lines of evidence have verified that dysregulation of lncRNAs affects epigenetic information and may have a significant role in NPC. 19 , 20 Consequently, the description of NPC-related lncRNAs and their functions could provide new insights into NPC. 21 …”

Circular RNA circ_0008450 regulates the proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and chemosensitivity of CDDP-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by the miR-338-3p/SMAD5 axis

“…Chemoresistance has been presumed as one of the principle mechanisms which lead to NPC recurrence after treatment and dismal prognosis [4]. CircRNAs have recently been demonstrated to operate as critical modulators in NPC carcinogenesis [17,18]. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the function of circRNAs in the chemoresistance of NPC.…”