title: Potential Role of lncRNAs in Contributing to Pathogenesis of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Based on Microarray Data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our study intended to identify potential long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and genes, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The microarray of GSE56081 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, including 5 human control nucleus pulposus tissues and 5 degenerative nucleus pulposus tissues, which was on the basis of GPL15314 platform. Identification of differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were performed between the 2 groups. Then, gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses were performed to analyze the biological functions and pathways for the differentially expressed mRNAs. Simultaneously, lncRNA-mRNA weighted coexpression network was constructed using the WGCNA package, followed by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses for the genes in the modules. Finally, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was visualized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 135 significantly up- and 170 down-regulated lncRNAs and 2133 significantly up- and 1098 down-regulated mRNAs were identified. Additionally, UBA52 (ubiquitin A-52 residue ribosomal protein fusion product 1), with the highest connectivity degree in PPI network, was remarkably enriched in the pathway of metabolism of proteins. Eight lncRNAs - LINC00917, CTD-2246P4.1, CTC-523E23.5, RP4-639J15.1, RP11-363G2.4, AC005082.12, MIR132, and RP11-38F22.1 - were observed in the modules of lncRNA-mRNA weighted coexpression network. Moreover, SPHK1 in the green-yellow module was significantly enriched in positive regulation of cell migration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LncRNAs LINC00917, CTD-2246P4.1, CTC-523E23.5, RP4-639J15.1, RP11-363G2.4, AC005082.12, MIR132, and RP11-38F22.1 were differentially expressed and might play important roles in the development of IDD. Key genes, such as UBA52 and SPHK1, may be pivotal biomarkers for IDD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Haijian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Yingchuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D015536:Down-Regulation; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D063990:Gene Ontology; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000235:genetics*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; D012333:RNA, Messenger