Integrated analysis of a lncRNAmRNA network reveals a potential mechanism underlying necrotizing enterocolitis.

Previous studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve important roles in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In order to examine the potential role of lncRNAs in NEC, the present study investigated lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in NEC lesions and adjacent intestinal tissues using Next Generation Sequencing. A total of 4,202 differentially expressed lncRNAs (foldchange >2; P 2; P<0.05) were identified. Moreover, 5 dysregulated lncRNAs and 5 mRNAs were randomly selected, and further assessed by reverse transcriptionquantitative PCR in vitro. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses demonstrated that the differentially expressed lncRNAs were closely associated with NEC, and were enriched in 'inflammatory response', 'Tolllike receptor binding', 'PPAR signaling pathway', 'PI3KAkt signaling pathway', 'transforming growth factorbeta signaling pathway' and 'hypoxiainducible factor 1 signaling pathway'. In addition, coexpression analysis demonstrated that these lncRNAs, including lncRNA ENST00000623580, lncRNA NONHSAT180418.1, lncRNA NONHSAT125636.2 and NONHSAT087855.2, may mediate the pathogenesis and development of NEC via lncRNAmRNA network interactions. Therefore, the present study provided a novel insight into the role of lncRNAs in NEC.