Differentially Expressed Circular RNA Profile in an Intracranial Aneurysm Group Compared with a Healthy Control Group

Abstract

Objective. Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a fatal disease owing to vascular rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Much attention has been given to circular RNAs (circRNAs) because they may be potential biomarkers for many diseases, but their mechanism in the formation of IA remains unknown. Methods. circRNA expression profile analysis of blood samples was conducted between patients with IA and controls. Overall, 235 differentially expressed circRNAs were confirmed between IA patients and the control group. The reliability of the microarray results was demonstrated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results. Of 235 differentially expressed genes, 150 were upregulated, while the other 85 were downregulated. Five miRNAs matched to every differential expression of circRNAs, and related MREs were predicted. We performed gene ontology (GO) analysis to identify the functions of their targeted genes, with the terms “Homophilic cell adhesion via plasma membrane adhesion molecules” and “Positive regulation of cellular process” showing the highest fold enrichment. Conclusions. This study demonstrated the role of circRNA expression profiling in the formation of IA and revealed that the mTOR pathway can be a latent therapeutic strategy for IA.

Hsa_circ_0031608: A Potential Modulator of VSMC Phenotype in the Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms

“…Due to the stability of circRNA, circRNA-based biomarker discovery studies within peripheral blood were conducted ( Teng et al, 2017 ; Huang et al, 2021 ). circRNA expression profile analyses of blood samples were also conducted to investigate the mechanism in the pathogenesis of IAs ( Cao et al, 2021 ; Ma et al, 2021 ). Besides, tissue-based circRNA microarray or sequencing was performed by comparing IA walls and superficial temporal arteries (STAs) ( Huang et al, 2019 ; Chen et al, 2021b ).…”

Extracellular Vesicles and Their Associated miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers in Intracranial Aneurysm

“…MiRNA is a type of highly conserved, non-coding small RNA that ranges in length from 18 to 24 nucleotides ( Ma et al, 2021 ). MiRNA regulates gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by interacting with the 3′-untranslated regions (3′UTRs) of target mRNAs ( Cao et al, 2021 ).…”

“…IA ruptures occur approximately 9.1 times per 100,000 annually, and mortality rates are close to 40%. Nonetheless, 46% of survivors will also have disabilities or long-term cognitive impairment due to multiple complications ( Heo et al, 2020 ; Cao et al, 2021 ; Ma et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In addition to imaging, IA patients have no clear non-invasive biomarkers ( Ma et al, 2021 ). Hence, the understanding of clinically relevant diagnostic markers may contribute to the development of better diagnostic methods to identify IAs and their tendency to rupture.…”

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0007990 as a blood biomarker for unruptured intracranial aneurysm with aneurysm wall enhancement

“…CircRNAs regulate vascular smooth muscle cells phenotype involving the pathological process of IA (14)(15)(16). Differentially expressed circRNAs in the peripheral blood are associated with the aneurysm rupture status in patients with IA and may be used as potential clinical diagnostic biomarkers (20)(21)(22). However, the association of circRNAs in the peripheral blood with AWE on HR-VWI for IA remains unclear.…”