MicroRNA expression associated with emphysematous lung destruction
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ABSTRACT: Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by varying degrees of emphysematous lung destruction and small airway disease, each with distinct effects on clinical outcomes. There is little known about how microRNAs contribute specifically to the emphysema phenotype. We examined how microRNA expression is altered with regional emphysema severity within the lung and how these microRNAs regulate disease-associated gene-expression networks. Results: We profiled microRNAs in different regions in the lung with varying degrees of emphysema from 6 smokers with COPD and 2 controls (8 regions x 8 lungs = 64 samples). 63 microRNAs (p<0.05) were altered with regional emphysema severity as quantified by mean linear intercept (Lm). MicroRNA and gene expression data were then integrated in the same samples. A subset of microRNAs, including miR-638, miR-30c, and miR-181d, correlated with many of their predicted gene targets, suggesting a role in regulating the gene networks that underlie emphysematous lung destruction. Modulating miR-638 expression in primary human lung fibroblasts recapitulated the alterations in its targeted gene-expression network associated with emphysema progression. Pathway analysis revealed that genes involved in oxidative stress and accelerated aging were affected by miR-638 knock-down in fibroblasts. Many miR-638 gene targets in these pathways were amongst those negatively correlated with miR-638 expression in emphysematous lung tissue. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that microRNAs are altered with regional emphysema severity and modulate disease-associated gene expression networks. Furthermore, miR-638 may regulate gene expression associated with the oxidative stress response and aging in emphysematous lung tissue and fibroblasts.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE49881 | GEO | 2013/12/31
SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA215238
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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