Circular RNA expression profile and competing endogenous RNA regulatory network in preeclampsia.

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy specific disorder which is significantly associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to explore the potential role of circRNAs in PE.

Methods: The mRNA, miRNA, and circRNA expression profiles of PE were downloaded from GEO database. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to characterize differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs), miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) in the placental tissues of women with PE versus normal pregnancies. Then, expression validation of the mRNAs, miRNAs and circRNAs were performed with RT-qPCR and GEO datasets.

Results: A total of 1645 DEmRNAs, 41 DEmiRNAs and 2432 DEcircRNAs were acquired. The ceRNA network contained 4 circRNA-miRNA pairs and 64 miRNA-mRNA pairs, including 3 circRNAs, 3 miRNAs, and 63 mRNAs. Validation in RT-qPCR and GEO were generally in line with our integrated analysis results.

Discussion: In conclusion, we speculated that hsa_circRNA_0001687/hsa-miR-532-3p/MMP14/AXL, hsa_circ_0001513/hsa-miR-188-5p/HMGCS1 and hsa_circ_0001513/hsa_circ_0001329/hsa-miR-760/MAP1LC3B axes may participate in the pathological process of PE.