Integrative bioinformatics analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles and identification of associated miRNA-mRNA network in aortic dissection

Background: Aortic dissection (AD) is one of the most lethal cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to identify core genes and pathways revealing pathogenesis in AD. Methods: We screened differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs using mRNA and miRNA expression profile data of AD from Gene Expression Omnibus. Then functional and pathway enrichment analyses of differential expression genes (DEGs) was performed utilizing the database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery (DAVID). Target genes with differential expression miRNAs (DEMIs) were predicted using the miRWalk database, and the intersection between these predictions and DEGs was selected as differentially expressed miRNA-target genes. In addition, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and miRNA-mRNA regulatory network were constructed. Results: In total, 130 DEGs and 47 DEMIs were identified from mRNA and miRNA microarray, respectively, and 45 DEGs were DEMI-target genes. The PPI and miRNA-mRNA network included 79 node genes and 74 node genes, respectively, while 23 hub genes and 2 hub miRNAs were identified. The DEGs, PPI and modules differential expression miRNA-target genes were all mainly enriched in cell cycle, cell proliferation and cell apoptosis signaling pathways. Conclusion: Taken above, the study reveals some candidate genes and pathways potentially involving molecular mechanisms of AD. These findings provide a new insight for research and treatment of AD.