Network analysis of MicroRNA transcripts revealed relevant MicroRNAs and gene candidates for angiogenesis in gastric cancer

Abstract Background Angiogenesis is considered as one of the hallmarks of cancer progression. Objective This study aimed to identify the microRNAs(miRNAs) and their target genes and pathways responsible for angiogenesis in gastric cancer. Methods From the public miRNA transcriptomic profiles of gastric cancer in three conditions (normal, adjacent to tumor, and tumor), we identified differentially expressed miRNAs that were commonlypresent in all the three conditions i.e. adjacent to tumor-normal [adj-nor],tumor-adjacent to tumor [tum-adj], and tumor-normal [tum-nor].The target genes of those miRNAs were predicted and subjected to network analysis. The resultant sub-network clusters were annotated with functional enrichment analysis and pathway analysis to identify potential genes and pathways related to angiogenesis in gastric cancer. Result This study identified two miRNAs (miR-196a-5p and miR-223-3p), 12 genes (IL6, SP1, STAT3, FBXW7, STAT1, STAT5A, ZEB1, HMOX1, CCND1, CDKN1B, GLMN, and PRDM1) and one pathway (FoxO signaling pathway) related to angiogenesis in gastric cancer. Among these 12 genes, five genes (HMOX1, CCND1, CDKN1B, GLMN, and PRDM1) were first reported in our study for their role in tumor angiogenesis in gastric cancer. Conclusion As angiogenesis is the crucial step in tumor progression, further studies on these two miRNAs, five target genes,and reported pathway will shed light on the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of gastric cancer.