Screening for differentially expressed circRNA between Kashin-Beck disease and osteoarthritis patients based on circRNA chips

Objective: This research aims to explore differentially expressed circRNA between OA and KBD and potential diagnostic biomarkers. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from 5 pairs of KBD and OA knee joint cartilage specimens, and the expression of circRNAs was analyzed by Chip Scanning Analysis. The microarray data was verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). CircRNA-miRNA network was constructed to predict targeting microRNAs of circRNA genes. Peripheral blood samples from 25 KBD patients and 25 OA patients were collected for verification by qRT-PCR. Diagnostic value was evaluated by the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: A total of 1627 circRNAs were differentially expressed between OA and KBD. Five bone and joint disease-related circRNAs were chosen for qRT-PCR validation. The difference in expression profile of hsa_circRNA_0020014 was confirmed by qRT-PCR, and its circRNA-miRNA regulation network was set up. The ROC curve demonstrated that hsa_circ_0020014_CBC1 in peripheral blood could distinguish patients with KBD and OA. Conclusion: The expression profiles of circRNA were significantly different between OA and KBD. hsa_circRNA_0020014 is a potential biomarker for differential diagnosis between these two diseases.