RNA sequencing uncover crucial genes mediating progression of large-artery atherosclerotic and small-artery occlusion ischemic stroke.

Purpose: The goal of our study is to uncover the pathogenesis of large-artery atherosclerotic ischemic stroke (LAAIS) and small-artery occlusion ischemic stroke (SAOIS) and analyze their difference using RNA sequencing.

Methods: RNA sequencing was used to filtrate differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in LAAIS and SAOIS. Specific DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs in LAAIS and SAOIS were further found. Functional annotation and DElncRNA-DEmRNA co-expression network were built to reveal biological function of DEmRNAs.

Results: A total of 832 DEmRNAs and 96 DElncRNAs were identified in LAAIS vs normal controls. 587 DEmRNAs and 105 DElncRNAs were identified in SAOIS vs normal controls. In LAAIS vs SAOIS, 636 DEmRNAs and 112 DElncRNAs were identified. Among which, 571 DEmRNAs and 61 DElncRNAs were LAAIS specific DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs, respectively. 325 DEmRNAs and 66 DElncRNAs were respectively SAOIS specific DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs. We also obtained 3086 LAAIS specific DElncRNA-DEmRNA co-expression pairs and 661 SAOIS specific DElncRNA-DEmRNA co-expression pairs. Oxidative phosphorylation and Alzheimer's disease were significantly enriched pathways in both LAAIS specific DEmRNAs and DEmRNAs in LAAIS specific DElncRNA-DEmRNA co-expression network. ECM-receptor interaction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy were significantly enriched pathways in both SAOIS specific DEmRNAs and DEmRNAs in SAOIS specific DElncRNA-DEmRNA co-expression network.

Conclusion: This finding may help to understand the mechanisms of LAAIS and SAOIS and offer novel clues for finding specific biomarkers for LAAIS and SAOIS.