Circular RNA expression profiles and features in NAFLD mice: a study using RNA-seq data

Abstract

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is primarily characterized by the hepatic cholesterol accumulation. Circular RNA (circRNA), one of noncoding RNA, involves in many liver diseases progression. However, no recent studies on circRNA expression profiles in NAFLD have been reported previously. Methods: A NAFLD mouse model was constructed by providing high-fat diet (HFD) for 32 weeks. The circRNAs expression profile in normal mice and NAFLD mice were determined using high-output RNA sequencing method and bioinformatics methods, while the differentially expressed circRNAs were confirmed using Sanger sequencing and qRT-PCR. The circRNA-miRNA network was also predicted. The biological functions of circRNAs were annotated by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Results: The results demonstrated the successful construction of NAFLD mice model by immunohistology and serology assay. In total, 93 dysregulated circRNAs were observed, including 57 upregulated circRNAs and 36 downregulated circRNAs, in the NAFLD group. The circRNA-miRNA network revealed the complex interaction between circRNAs and its potential miRNA targets in NAFLD. The characteristic of tissue-specific expression in circRNA was demonstrated. The differentially expressed circRNAs with important biological function were also annotated using GO and KEGG. Both DDAH1 and VAV3 genes were found to be associated with the NAFLD development. Conclusions: Taken together, this study demonstrated the circRNAs expression profile and features in NAFLD, which may provide potential biological markers for the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Noncoding RNAs Associated with PPARs in Etiology of MAFLD as a Novel Approach for Therapeutics Targets

“…Supplementary Table 2: the summary of fatty liver disease-related lncRNAs [15,. Supplementary Table 3: the summary of fatty liver diseaserelated circRNAs [88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99]. (Supplementary Materials)…”

Identification of MAP3K4 as a novel regulation factor of hepatic lipid metabolism in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

“…Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a broadspectrum term used to generalize non-alcoholic fatty liver simple steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Simple steatosis is the initial stage within the spectrum of NAFLD, which progresses to NASH and increases the risk of developing fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma [1,2]. NAFLD has affected 10 to 48 percent of the general population in different countries of the world [3][4][5].…”

Overexpression of circ PTK2 suppresses the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via the miR‐200c/SIK2/PI3K/Akt axis

“…For instance, Li M et al found that circ PTK2 can regulate microglial activation and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in sepsis 9 ; Jiang Z et al found that circ PTK2 can promote colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and chemoresistance 10 ; and Yang Z et al indicated that circ PTK2 can contribute to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma via the miR‐1278/YAP1 axis 11 . In addition, Yuan X et al demonstrated that circ PTK2 was downregulated in NAFLD mice, suggesting that circ PTK2 might act as an inhibitor in NAFLD 12 . However, the detailed function of circ PTK2 in NAFLD remains largely unknown.…”

“…11 In addition, Yuan X et al demonstrated that circ PTK2 was downregulated in NAFLD mice, suggesting that circ PTK2 might act as an inhibitor in NAFLD. 12 However, the detailed function of circ PTK2 in NAFLD remains largely unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous RNAs with regulatory functions in cellular processes.…”