Identification of key miRNAs in papillary thyroid carcinoma based on data mining and bioinformatics methods

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short (approximately 22 nucleotides), non-coding and endogenous RNA molecules that play pivotal roles in the occurrence and development of cancer. The present study aimed to investigate key miRNAs involved in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Two independent datasets (GSE73182 and GSE113629) were obtained from the GEO database. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) between PTC tissues and normal thyroid tissues were analyzed by GEO2R with the Limma R package. Key miRNAs in PTC were identified by the VennDiagram R package. The targets of the key miRNAs were predicted by miRWalk and were functionally enriched by clusterProfiler R package. Five miRNAs including hsa-miR-146b-5p, hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-221-3p and hsa-miR-222-3p were identified as key miRNAs in PTC. The expression levels of these key miRNAs were upregulated in PTC. This finding was also confirmed in the other dataset. Target prediction of miRNAs indicated that hsa-miR-146b-5p, hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-221-3p and hsa-miR-222-3p exhibited 2, 41, 3, 14 and 8 target genes, respectively. Enrichment analysis indicated that these key miRNAs were mainly involved in nine biological processes, such as regulation of MAP kinase activity, JNK cascade signaling and regulation of protein serine/threonine kinase activity) and in 28 pathways, including the mitogen associated protein kinase, the sphingolipid, ErbB, Ras and the C-type lectin receptor signaling pathways. In conclusion, the present study identified several key miRNAs in PTC, which serve as potential targets for PTC diagnosis and treatment.

miR-181a, delivered by hypoxic PTC-secreted exosomes, inhibits DACT2 by downregulating MLL3, leading to YAP-VEGF-mediated angiogenesis

“… 8 Emerging evidence shows that the progression and metastasis of PTC and other human cancers are mediated by dysregulation of miRNAs. 9 Here we noted that miR-181a has been extensively studied in a wide variety of human cancers, including breast, 10 cervical, 11 and gastric cancers. 12 A recent study has shown that miR-181a promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in thyroid cancer, 13 and other research shows upregulation of miR-181a content in PTC cell-derived EXs.…”

An immune-related microRNA signature prognostic model for pancreatic carcinoma and association with immune microenvironment

“…Research also found that miR-3613-5p was a key miRNA in cell malignancy of liver cancer induced by a atoxin B1 [39]. Wang X et al [40] found that miR-221-3p was independent of the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while Wang J et al [41] reported the key role of miR-221-3p in thyroid cancer. Moreover, Fang R et al [42] established a prognostic model for breast cancer based on 13 miRNAs including miR-221-3p.…”

An immune-related microRNA signature prognostic model for pancreatic carcinoma and association with immune microenvironment

“…Research also found that miR-3613-5p was a key miRNA in cell malignancy of liver cancer induced by aflatoxin B1 37 . Wang et al 38 found that miR-221-3p was independent of the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while Wang et al 39 reported the key role of miR-221-3p in thyroid cancer. Moreover, Fang et al 40 established a prognostic model for breast cancer based on 13 miRNAs including miR-221-3p.…”