Potential Role of lncRNAs in Contributing to Pathogenesis of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Based on Microarray Data

Source of support: Departmental sources Background: Our study intended to identify potential long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and genes, and to elucidate the un-derlying mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Material/Methods: The microarray of GSE56081 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, including 5 hu-man 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 coex-pression 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 prod-uct 1), with the highest connectivity degree in PPI network, was remarkably enriched in the pathway of me-tabolism 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 coex