Circular RNA Expression in Ovarian Endometriosis

Abstract

Aim: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) with miRNA response elements (MREs) could function as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in regulating gene expression. This study was carried out to identify the expression profile and role of circRNAs in endometriosis. Materials & methods: Microarray assay was performed in four paired ovarian endometriomas and eutopic endometrium, followed by quantitative real-time RT–PCR in 24 paired samples. Bioinformatical algorithms were used to predict MREs, as well as ceRNA and KEGG pathway analysis. Results: We identified 262 upregulated and 291 downregulated circRNAs, binding with 1225 MREs. The ceRNA network included 122 miRNAs and 137 mRNAs, which are involed in nine pathways. Conclusion: CircRNAs are differentially expressed in endometriosis, which might be related with pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: :

• circRNAs
• endometriosis
• miRNAs

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by Science Foundation for Youth Scholars of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University (2014Q09) and Research Foundation of Health and Family Planning Commission, Hunan Province (132015-006). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

For investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Science Foundation for Youth Scholars of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University (2014Q09) and Research Foundation of Health and Family Planning Commission, Hunan Province (132015-006). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.