Differential expression patterns of specific long noncoding RNAs and competing endogenous RNA network in alopecia areata

Abstract Background Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression by acting with microRNAs (miRNAs) and indirectly interact with messenger RNA (mRNAs). However, the roles of specific lncRNA and its related competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network in alopecia areata (AA) are not fully understood. Methods The blood lncRNA profiles were obtained by microarray from 10 samples, including five alopecia areata samples and five normal samples. Based on bioinformatics generated from miRcode, starBase, and miRTarBase, we constructed an lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA network (ceRNA network) in alopecia areata. Results We found 154 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 46 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The functional enrichment indicated that the DEGs mainly regulated the pathways of focal adhesion, Mucin type O ‐glycan biosynthesis, and so on. The differentially expressed lncRNA (DElncRNA) involved in the pathway of thyronamine and iodothyronamine metabolism and so on. Through integrated lncRNA‐mRNA and miRNA‐mRNA pairs, the ceRNA network was constructed, thereafter, six ceRNA subnetworks were identified and subnetwork 1 were found to be significantly associated with the occurrence of alopecia areata. Conclusion Our results showed blood lncRNA expression patterns and a complex ceRNA network in alopecia areata. However, futher studies on blood and tissue verification of these lncRNAs and relative pathways are needed.