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Nautiyal H, Jaiswar A, Jha PK, Dwivedi S. Exploring key genes and pathways associated with sex differences in autism spectrum disorder: integrated bioinformatic analysis. Mamm Genome 2024; 35:280-295. [PMID: 38594551 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-024-10036-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorder marked by functional abnormalities in brain that causes social and linguistic difficulties. The incidence of ASD is more prevalent in males compared to females, but the underlying mechanism, as well as molecular indications for identifying sex-specific differences in ASD symptoms remain unknown. Thus, impacting the development of personalized strategy towards pharmacotherapy of ASD. The current study employs an integrated bioinformatic approach to investigate the genes and pathways uniquely associated with sex specific differences in autistic individuals. Based on microarray dataset (GSE6575) extracted from the gene expression omnibus, the dysregulated genes between the autistic and the neurotypical individuals for both sexes were identified. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to ascertain biological activities linked to the dysregulated genes. Protein-protein interaction network analysis was carried out to identify hub genes. The identified hub genes were examined to determine their functions and involvement in the associated pathways using Enrichr. Additionally, hub genes were validated from autism-associated databases and the potential small molecules targeting the hub genes were identified. The present study utilized whole blood transcriptomic gene expression analysis data and identified 2211 and 958 differentially expressed unique genes in males and females respectively. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that male hub genes were functionally associated with RNA polymerase II mediated transcriptional regulation whereas female hub genes were involved in intracellular signal transduction and cell migration. The top male hub genes exhibited functional enrichment in tyrosine kinase signalling pathway. The pathway enrichment analysis of male hub genes indicates the enrichment of papillomavirus infection. Female hub genes were enriched in androgen receptor signalling pathway and functionally enriched in focal adhesion specific excision repair. Identified drug like candidates targeting these genes may serve as a potential sex specific therapeutics. Wortmannin for males, 5-Fluorouracil for females had the highest scores. Targeted and sex-specific pharmacotherapies may be created for the management of ASD. The current investigation identifies sex-specific molecular signatures derived from whole blood which may serve as a potential peripheral sex-specific biomarkers for ASD. The study also uncovers the possible pharmacological interventions against the selected genes/pathway, providing support in development of therapeutic strategies to mitigate ASD. However, experimental proofs on biological systems are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himani Nautiyal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Akanksha Jaiswar
- Laboratory of Human Disease Multiomics, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Prabhash Kumar Jha
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shubham Dwivedi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES, Dehradun, 248001, India.
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Jiang M, Chen G. Investigation of LncRNA PVT1 and MiR-21-5p Expression as Promising Novel Biomarkers for Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Mol Neurosci 2023; 73:865-873. [PMID: 37828403 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-023-02161-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The characteristics of ncRNA in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were observed to disclose a theoretical basis for further research on molecular markers for early warning of ASD. Children with ASD and normal control children were recruited to collect peripheral blood RNA samples. The concentration of PVT1 and miR-21-5p was quantitatively analyzed by qRT-PCR. Pearson correlation coefficient method was used to evaluate the link between PVT1 level and miR-21-5p level of the children. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to reckon the predictive value of PVT1, miR-21-5p, and their combination in ASD. The interconnection of PVT1 with miR-21-5p was represented by luciferase reporter assay. The targeted genes of miR-21-5p were predicted. The enrichment and protein interaction analysis of these genes was carried out to find the important core genes and analyze their value in ASD. In the disease group, the level of PVT1 was downregulated, while the content of miR-21-5p was upregulated. The expression level of serum miR-21-5p was negatively correlated with the level of PVT1. Luciferase reporter gene assay documented that PVT1 directly targeted miR-21-5p. ROC curve showed that PVT1, miR-21-5p, and their combination showed clinical value for disease diagnosis. The functional enrichment analysis showed that the targets of miR-21-5p participated in ASD by regulating related functions and pathways. Reduced expression of PVT1 and raised miR-21-5p were good diagnostic markers for ASD, which would provide a basis for effective prevention, early diagnosis, and early intervention of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Jiang
- Shenzhen Polytechnic University, No.7098 Liuxian Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Guanwen Chen
- Guangdong Nantian Institute of Forensic Science, No.5003 Binhe Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, 518033, Guangdong, China.
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Seki I, Izumi H, Okamoto N, Ikenouchi A, Morimoto Y, Horie S, Yoshimura R. Serum Extracellular Vesicle-Derived hsa-miR-2277-3p and hsa-miR-6813-3p Are Potential Biomarkers for Major Depression: A Preliminary Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13902. [PMID: 37762202 PMCID: PMC10531403 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the association between miRNA levels in extracellular vesicles (EVs) from serum and the severity of Major Depression (MD). Patient sera from 16 MD cases were collected at our university hospital. The miRNAs contained in EVs were extracted using a nanofiltration method, and their expression levels were analyzed using miRNA microarrays. Intergroup comparisons were performed to validate the diagnostic performance of miRNAs in EVs. Furthermore, candidate miRNAs in EVs were added to neural progenitor cells, astrocytes, and microglial cells in vitro, and the predicted target genes of the candidate miRNAs were extracted. The predicted target genes underwent enrichment analysis. The expression levels of hsa-miR-6813-3p and hsa-miR-2277-3p were significantly downregulated with increasing depression severity of MD. The pathway enrichment analysis suggests that hsa-miR-6813-3p may be involved in glucocorticoid receptor and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor signaling. Additionally, hsa-miR-2277-3p was found to be involved in the dopaminergic neural pathway. The analysis of serum miRNAs in EVs suggests that hsa-miR-6813-3p and hsa-miR-2277-3p could serve as novel biomarkers for MD, reflecting its severity. Moreover, these miRNAs in EVs could help understand MD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issei Seki
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan; (I.S.); (N.O.); (A.I.)
| | - Hiroto Izumi
- Center for Stress-related Disease Control and Prevention, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan; (H.I.); (Y.M.)
- Department of Occupational Pneumology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Naomichi Okamoto
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan; (I.S.); (N.O.); (A.I.)
| | - Atsuko Ikenouchi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan; (I.S.); (N.O.); (A.I.)
| | - Yasuo Morimoto
- Center for Stress-related Disease Control and Prevention, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan; (H.I.); (Y.M.)
- Department of Occupational Pneumology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Seichi Horie
- Center for Stress-related Disease Control and Prevention, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan; (H.I.); (Y.M.)
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Reiji Yoshimura
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyusyu 807-8555, Japan; (I.S.); (N.O.); (A.I.)
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Ruan Y, Deng X, Liu J, Xiao X, Yang Z. Identification of miRNAs in extracellular vesicles as potential diagnostic markers for pediatric epilepsy and drug-resistant epilepsy via bioinformatics analysis. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1199780. [PMID: 37469680 PMCID: PMC10352456 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1199780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pediatric epilepsy (PE) is a common neurological disease. However, many challenges regarding the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PE and drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) remain unsettled. Our study aimed to identify potential miRNA biomarkers in children with epilepsy and drug-resistant epilepsy by scrutinizing differential miRNA expression profiles. Methods In this study, miRNA expression profiles in plasma extracellular vesicles (EV) of normal controls, children with drug-effective epilepsy (DEE), and children with DRE were obtained. In addition, differential analysis, transcription factor (TF) enrichment analysis, Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, and target gene prediction were used to identify specifically expressed miRNAs and their potential mechanisms of action. Potential diagnostic markers for DRE were identified using machine learning algorithms, and their diagnostic efficiency was assessed by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results The hsa-miR-1307-3p, hsa-miR-196a-5p, hsa-miR-199a-3p, and hsa-miR-21-5p were identified as diagnostic markers for PE, with values of area under curve (AUC) 0.780, 0.840, 0.832, and 0.816, respectively. In addition, the logistic regression model incorporating these four miRNAs had an AUC value of 0.940, and its target gene enrichment analysis highlighted that these miRNAs were primarily enriched in the PI3K-Akt, MAPK signaling pathways, and cell cycle. Furthermore, hsa-miR-99a-5p, hsa-miR-532-5p, hsa-miR-181d-5p, and hsa-miR-181a-5p showed good performance in differentiating children with DRE from those with DEE, with AUC values of 0.737 (0.534-0.940), 0.737 (0.523-0.952), 0.788 (0.592-0.985), and 0.788 (0.603-0.974), respectively. Conclusion This study characterized the expression profile of miRNAs in plasma EVs of children with epilepsy and identified miRNAs that can be used for the diagnosis of DRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucai Ruan
- Department of Pediatrics, Yue Bei People’s Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China
| | - Xuhui Deng
- Department of Neurology, Yue Bei People’s Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Medical Research Center and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Yue Bei People’s Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China
| | - Xiaobing Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Yue Bei People’s Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Yue Bei People’s Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China
- Department of Neurology, Yue Bei People’s Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China
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Garrido-Torres N, Guzmán-Torres K, García-Cerro S, Pinilla Bermúdez G, Cruz-Baquero C, Ochoa H, García-González D, Canal-Rivero M, Crespo-Facorro B, Ruiz-Veguilla M. miRNAs as biomarkers of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023:10.1007/s00787-023-02138-3. [PMID: 36735095 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02138-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with complex clinical manifestations that arise between 18 and 36 months of age. Social interaction deficiencies, a restricted range of interests, and repetitive stereotyped behaviors are characteristics which are sometimes difficult to detect early. Several studies show that microRNAs (miRs/miRNAs) are strongly implicated in the development of the disorder and affect the expression of genes related to different neurological pathways involved in ASD. The present systematic review and meta-analysis addresses the current status of miRNA studies in different body fluids and the most frequently dysregulated miRNAs in patients with ASD. We used a combined approach to summarize miRNA fold changes in different studies using the mean values. In addition, we summarized p values for differential miRNA expression using the Fisher method. Our literature search yielded a total of 133 relevant articles, 27 of which were selected for qualitative analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 16 studies evaluating miRNAs whose data were completely reported were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. The most frequently dysregulated miRNAs across the analyzed studies were miR-451a, miR-144-3p, miR-23b, miR-106b, miR150-5p, miR320a, miR92a-2-5p, and miR486-3p. Among the most dysregulated miRNAs in individuals with ASD, miR-451a is the most relevant to clinical practice and is associated with impaired social interaction. Other miRNAs, including miR19a-3p, miR-494, miR-142-3p, miR-3687, and miR-27a-3p, are differentially expressed in various tissues and body fluids of patients with ASD. Therefore, all these miRNAs can be considered candidates for ASD biomarkers. Saliva may be the optimal biological fluid for miRNA measurements, because it is easy to collect from children compared to other biological fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Garrido-Torres
- Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocio, IBIS-CSIC, Department of Psychiatry, University of Sevilla, Avda Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Seville, Spain
| | | | - Susana García-Cerro
- Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocio, IBIS-CSIC, Department of Psychiatry, University of Sevilla, Avda Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Seville, Spain
| | | | | | - Hansel Ochoa
- Epidemiology Research Group (EpiAndes), Los Andes University, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Diego García-González
- Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocio, IBIS-CSIC, Department of Psychiatry, University of Sevilla, Avda Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Manuel Canal-Rivero
- Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocio, IBIS-CSIC, Department of Psychiatry, University of Sevilla, Avda Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Seville, Spain
| | - Benedicto Crespo-Facorro
- Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocio, IBIS-CSIC, Department of Psychiatry, University of Sevilla, Avda Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain.
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Seville, Spain.
| | - Miguel Ruiz-Veguilla
- Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocio, IBIS-CSIC, Department of Psychiatry, University of Sevilla, Avda Manuel Siurot S/N, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Spanish Network for Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Seville, Spain
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Gaytán-Pacheco N, Ibáñez-Salazar A, Herrera-Van Oostdam AS, Oropeza-Valdez JJ, Magaña-Aquino M, Adrián López J, Monárrez-Espino J, López-Hernández Y. miR-146a, miR-221, and miR-155 are Involved in Inflammatory Immune Response in Severe COVID-19 Patients. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 13:133. [PMID: 36611425 PMCID: PMC9818442 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13010133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 infection triggered a global public health crisis during the 2020-2022 period, and it is still evolving. This highly transmissible respiratory disease can cause mild symptoms up to severe pneumonia with potentially fatal respiratory failure. In this cross-sectional study, 41 PCR-positive patients for SARS-CoV-2 and 42 healthy controls were recruited during the first wave of the pandemic in Mexico. The plasmatic expression of five circulating miRNAs involved in inflammatory and pathological host immune responses was assessed using RT-qPCR (Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction). Compared with controls, a significant upregulation of miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-221 was observed; miR-146a had a positive correlation with absolute neutrophil count and levels of brain natriuretic propeptide (proBNP), and miR-221 had a positive correlation with ferritin and a negative correlation with total cholesterol. We found here that CDKN1B gen is a shared target of miR-146a, miR-221-3p, and miR-155-5p, paving the way for therapeutic interventions in severe COVID-19 patients. The ROC curve built with adjusted variables (miR-146a, miR-221-3p, miR-155-5p, age, and male sex) to differentiate individuals with severe COVID-19 showed an AUC of 0.95. The dysregulation of circulating miRNAs provides new insights into the underlying immunological mechanisms, and their possible use as biomarkers to discriminate against patients with severe COVID-19. Functional analysis showed that most enriched pathways were significantly associated with processes related to cell proliferation and immune responses (innate and adaptive). Twelve of the predicted gene targets have been validated in plasma/serum, reflecting their potential use as predictive prognosis biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí Gaytán-Pacheco
- Clinical Analysis Laboratory UAZ-Siglo-XXI, Academic Unit of Chemical Sciences, Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Ibáñez-Salazar
- Clinical Analysis Laboratory UAZ-Siglo-XXI, Academic Unit of Chemical Sciences, Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico
| | | | - Juan José Oropeza-Valdez
- Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, Academic Unit of Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98600, Mexico
| | | | - Jesús Adrián López
- MicroRNAs and Cancer Laboratory, Academic Unit of Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico
| | - Joel Monárrez-Espino
- Department of Health Research, Christus Muguerza del Parque Hospital Chihuahua, University of Monterrey, San Pedro Garza García 66238, Mexico
| | - Yamilé López-Hernández
- CONACyT-Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico
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