Analysis of a circRNA-, miRNA-, and mRNA-associated ceRNA network reveals potential biomarkers in preeclampsia a ceRNA network in preeclampsia

Background Preeclampsia (PE), one of hypertension-related disorders of pregnancy, is a common cause of maternal death worldwide. This study aimed to identify a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA-associated ceRNA network and related pathways in PE. Material and methods We downloaded 3 microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, obtained 163 differentially expressed circRNAs (dif-circRNAs) (61 upregulated and 102 downregulated), 39 differentially expressed microRNAs (dif-miRNAs) (22 upregulated and 17 downregulated), and 271 differentially expressed mRNAs (dif-mRNAs) (168 upregulated and 103 downregulated) from placenta tissues of PE. Functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network with module analysis of dif-mRNAs were performed. The regulatory relationship between dif-miRNAs and dif-mRNAs/circRNAs was predicted via related databases. A circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed. Results A total of 53 pairs were obtained, including 13 circRNAs (10 upregulated and 3 downregulated), 9 miRNAs (3 upregulated and 6 downregulated) and 31 mRNAs (22 upregulated and 9 downregulated). GNB5 and IL2RB were obtained. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that both of them were closely related with the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. Therefore, ceRNAs might affect the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway via the upregulation of GNB5 by binding to miR-1248 in PE. Meanwhile, hsa_circ_0052661 might upregulate IL2RB by binding miR-4303 to play a role in PE in the same way. Conclusion GNB5 and IL2RB might be key genes involved in the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway in PE, and hsa_circ_0087208, hsa_circ_0035443, hsa_circ_0067557 and hsa_circ_0052661 might regulate these key genes in PE by binding miR-1248 or miR-4303. Key messages There is still a lack of predictive and diagnostic factors for preeclampsia, which is a common cause of maternal death worldwide. This study identified a novel circRNA-associated ceRNA network and related pathways in preeclampsia. GNB5 and IL2RB might be key genes in their related circRNA-associated ceRNA network, and probably take an important role in preeclampsia via PI3K-Akt signalling pathway, which made them to be potential markers of preeclampsia.