DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1545324/v1
Background
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), generally known as transcripts longer than 200nt, are important genetic regulators. Lately, researches on lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network has been the hotspots in the field of non-coding RNAs. The present study explored the functional roles and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs in chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN).
Methods
In the current study, the RNA-seq was performed to study the differences in the expression profiles of lncRNAs in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs). LncRNA-mRNA regulatory network and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network were constructed to examine the role and mechanism of proliferation-related lncRNAs. To reveal the biological functions of lncRNAs, GO biological process and KEGG pathway analysis were we performed on all mRNAs involed in lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network and ceRNA network.
Results
1532 differentially expressed lncRNAs, including 594 upregulated lncRNAs and 938 downregulated lncRNAs were screened out by RNA-seq in LPS-induced GMCs. Furthermore, the lncRNAs-mRNAs regulatory network, including 236 lncRNAs and 556 mRNAs and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network, including 6 lncRNAs, 18 miRNAs, and 419 mRNAs were successfully constructed. The GO biological process and KEGG pathway analysis demonstrated that lncRNAs were mainly related to inflammatory response and substance metabolism.
Conclusions
This study first identified key proliferation-related lncRNAs in LPS-induced GMCs, and further revealed a global view of lncRNAs-mRNAs regulatory network and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network involved in CGN. Our findings offered novel insights into the roles of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of CGN and provided promising diagnostic biomarkers.