A combination of mRNA expression profile and miRNA expression profile identifies detection biomarkers in different tumor stages of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to investigate microRNA (miRNA) target regulations during the disease progression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and identify biomarkers in different tumor stages.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The mRNA dataset GSE59102 and miRNA dataset GSE70289 were used in this study. After pretreatment, differentially expressed genes/miRNAs (DEGs/DEMs) in different tumor stages (beginning vs. margin, advanced vs. margin, and beginning vs. advanced) were selected on the basis of their limma package. Then, the enrichment analysis for these DEGs was conducted using ClueGO. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was performed on the basis of the BioGRID database. After prediction of target genes of DEMs according to three validated miRNA databases, an integrated miRNA target network and its pathways were drawn using the multiMiR package.

RESULTS

Numerous DEGs were identified in different tumor stages of LSCC (beginning vs. margin, advanced vs. margin, and beginning vs. advanced), and a set of 18 DEMs was identified. Cell cycle was the most significantly enriched pathway of the DEGs. Four hub nodes (MCM2, EGFR, CDK2, and CDK1) were highlighted in the PPI network. In the integrated miRNA target network, 2 miRNAs were predominant: hsa-miR-331-3p (2 predicted targets, E2F1 and TNFRSF10B) and has-miR-375 (1 predicted target, TNNI3). These genes were tied up with cell cycle or apoptosis pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Several genes and miRNAs might be used as markers for LSCC in different tumor stages (e.g., MCM2, EGFR, CDK1, CDK2, hsa-miR-331-3p, hsa-miR-375). They might function through the involvement of the cell cycle pathway.