Circular RNA expression profiles and bioinformatic analysis in coronary heart disease.

We aimed to identify the expression profile and role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in coronary heart disease (CHD). We performed sequence analysis of circRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 70 CHD patients and 30 controls. Eight selected circRNAs were validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in human atherosclerotic coronary arteries. In total, 2283 downregulated and 85 upregulated circRNAs were identified in CHD. Parental genes of top 100 dysregulated-circRNAs are related to metabolism and protein modification, and 12 circRNAs might upregulate their CHD-related parental genes through miRNA sponges. Of the eight circRNAs validated in atherosclerotic coronary arteries by qRT-PCR, six were consistent with sequencing results of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. As potential ceRNAs, dysregulated circRNAs may be involved in CHD pathophysiology.