Prediction of Functional Genes in Primary Varicose Great Saphenous Veins Using the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA Network

Abstract

Background. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been widely suggested to bind with the microRNA (miRNA) sites and play roles of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), which can thus affect and regulate target gene and mRNA expression. Such lncRNA-related ceRNAs are identified to exert vital parts in vascular disease. Nonetheless, it remains unknown about how the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network functions in the varicose great saphenous veins. Methods. This study acquired the lncRNA and mRNA expression patterns from the GEO database and identifies the differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs by adopting the R software “limma” package. Then, miRcode, miRDB, miRTarbase, and TargetScan were used to establish the miRNA-mRNA pairs and lncRNA-miRNA pairs. In addition, the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network was constructed by using Cytoscape. Protein-protein interaction, Gene Ontology functional annotations, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment were carried out to examine the candidate hub genes, the functions of genes, and the corresponding pathways. Results. In line with the preset theory, we constructed ceRNA network comprising 12 lncRNAs, 38 miRNAs, and 149 mRNAs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis indicated that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway played a vital part in the development of varicose great saphenous veins. AC114730, AC002127, and AC073342 were significant biomarkers. At the same time, we predicted the potential miRNA, which may exert a significant influence on the varicose great saphenous veins, namely, miR-17-5p, miR-129-5p, miR-1297, miR-20b-5p, and miR-33a-3p. Conclusion. By performing ceRNA network analysis, our study detects new lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs, which can be applied as underlying biomarkers of varicose great saphenous veins and as therapeutic targets for the treatment of varicose great saphenous veins.

Molecular Determinants of Chronic Venous Disease: A Comprehensive Review

“…A growing amount of evidence shows that noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are RNAs not encoding proteins but with regulatory properties of gene expression, may also be used to identify biomarkers in several cardiovascular diseases [51]. In particular, Wei et al [52] showed that miR-17-5p, miR-129-5p, miR-1297, miR-20b-5p, and miR-33a-3p seem to be related to the onset of CVD, and three lncRNAs, namely AC114730, AC002127, and AC073342, seem to be effective biomarkers of great saphenous vein incompetence among patients with CVD.…”

Retracted: Prediction of Functional Genes in Primary Varicose Great Saphenous Veins Using the lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA Network

“…This article has been retracted by Hindawi, as publisher, following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [1]. This investigation has uncovered evidence of systematic manipulation of the publication and peer-review process.…”