Construction and Analysis of lncRNA-Mediated ceRNA Network in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis

Med Sci Monit. 2019 Apr 9:25:2609-2622. doi: 10.12659/MSM.913471.

Abstract

BACKGROUND More and more recent studies have clearly shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) should be considered as a fundamental part of the ceRNA network, mainly because lncRNA can act as miRNA sponges to regulate the protein-coding gene expression. Nevertheless, it is still not clear how lncRNA-mediated ceRNAs function in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC). Moreover, information about the ceRNA regulatory mechanism is also remarkably limited; thus, prediction of CESC prognosis using ceRNA-related information remains challenging. MATERIAL AND METHODS We collected 306 RNA (lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA) expression profile datasets obtained from cervical squamous cancer tissues plus 3 more from adjacent cervical tissues via the TCGA database. Subsequently, we constructed a lncRNAs-miRNAs-mRNAs CESC ceRNA network, and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was carried out. RESULTS We identified a total of 30 DElncRNAs, 70 DEmiRNAs, and 1089 DEmRNAs in CESC. Subsequently, to reveal the expression patterns of dysregulated genes, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was carried out, resulting in 3 co-expression modules with significantly related clinical properties. The constructed aberrant lncRNAs-miRNAs-mRNAs CESC ceRNA network was composed of 17 DEmiRNAs, 5 DElncRNAs, and 7 DEmRNAs. Moreover, the survival analysis was performed for DElncRNAs, DEmiRNAs, and DEmRNAs. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows the involvement of the lncRNA-related ceRNA network in the pathogenesis of CESC. We believe the newly generated ceRNA network will provide more insights into the lncRNA-mediated ceRNA regulatory mechanisms.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Gene Ontology
  • Gene Regulatory Networks*
  • Genes, Neoplasm
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Interaction Maps / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • RNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / genetics*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Neoplasm