Bioinformatic Analysis of Potential microRNAs in Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are part of the brain's response to ischemia. This study aimed to screen potential miRNAs for the prediction and novel treatments of ischemic stroke.

METHODS: Two mRNA and 1 miRNA microarray expression profile data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Then, differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs were identified. Based on the miRNA-target pairs predicted, an miRNA-target interaction network was established. Bioinformatics analysis (Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment) was applied to interpret the function of the miRNA targets.

RESULTS: In total, 16 differentially expressed miRNAs and 1345 differentially expressed genes were identified in ischemic stroke, respectively. Importantly, 445 miRNA-target pairs with an inverse correlation of expression were obtained, and the miRNA functional synergistic network was generated. Two miRNAs (miR-145 and miR-122) may represent potential biomarkers in ischemic stroke by being involved in the process of postischemic neuronal damage and thrombosis, respectively. Three novel miRNAs (miR-99b, miR-542-3p, and miR-455-5p) were deregulated, suggesting their roles in the pathological processes of ischemic stroke. Functional annotation indicated that apoptotic signaling cascades play an important role in patients with ischemic stroke.

CONCLUSION: miR-145 and miR-122 represent new biomarkers and underlying targets for the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke.