通过miRNA和mRNA的加权共表达网络分析表明，miR-363-5p作为肝细胞癌潜在的预后标志物。

miR-363-5p as potential prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma indicated by weighted co-expression network analysis of miRNAs and mRNA.

作者信息

Zhang Jun, Fan Jia, Zhou Chongming, Qi Yanyu

机构信息

Department of Oncology, The third people's hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, 610031, China.

出版信息

BMC Gastroenterol. 2017 Jun 20;17(1):81. doi: 10.1186/s12876-017-0637-2.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate potential miRNAs and genes associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Weighted co-expression network analysis was utilized to analyze the mRNA and miRNA sequencing data of HCC from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database. Significant network modules were identified, and then functions of genes in the gene network modules and target genes of miRNAs in the miRNA network modules were explored. Additionally, correlations between network modules and prognostic factors of HCC were analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 10 mRNA network modules were identified, three of which were significantly related to tumor stage, NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) and patient age. Four miRNA network modules were identified, of which one was associated with tumor stage. Targets of hsa-miR-363-5p were found distributed in the gene network modules, such as RGPD5, RGPD6, ZNF445 and ZNF780B. Kaplan-Meier test revealed that low expression of hsa-miR-363-5p was associated with better overall survival of HCC patients.

CONCLUSION

hsa-miR-363-5p may be a potential prognostic marker for HCC.

背景

本研究旨在探究与肝细胞癌（HCC）预后相关的潜在微小RNA（miRNA）和基因。

方法

利用加权共表达网络分析来分析来自癌症基因组图谱（TCGA）数据库的HCC的mRNA和miRNA测序数据。识别出显著的网络模块，然后探究基因网络模块中的基因功能以及miRNA网络模块中miRNA的靶基因。此外，分析网络模块与HCC预后因素之间的相关性。

结果

总共识别出10个mRNA网络模块，其中3个与肿瘤分期、非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）和患者年龄显著相关。识别出4个miRNA网络模块，其中1个与肿瘤分期相关。发现hsa-miR-363-5p的靶基因分布在基因网络模块中，如RGPD5、RGPD6、ZNF445和ZNF780B。Kaplan-Meier检验显示，hsa-miR-363-5p低表达与HCC患者更好的总生存期相关。