“An investigation into the MicroRNA-gene interactions involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus”

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic, inflammatory disease characterised by the production of autoantibodies which target particularly the nuclear components of multiple cell types throughout the body. MicroRNA’s have been well-established to regulate gene function by partial-, or complete binding to the 3’-UTR of the target genes, causing repression or complete degradation of the target gene. As a result, proteins normally produced by the targeted mRNA would exhibit a decrease in production.The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions between genes and microRNAs implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE. Objectives included curating lists of miRNAs and genes associated with lupus pathogenesis, to identify regulatory targets of miRNAs and genes targeted by miRNAs, and to find the intersections of these outputs. By examining the intersections of the resultant targets, we aimed to identify novel interactions using Pathway Analysis, which have not been previously reported in scientific literature, to be associated with the pathogenesis of SLE. Understanding the miRNA-gene target interactions in the progression of SLE may provide us with essential biomarkers and targets for disease diagnosis and therapy.