Transcriptome-wide Sequencing Reveals Molecules and Pathways Involved in Neurofibromatosis Type I Combined With Spinal Deformities.

UNLABELLED: MINI: We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that may be involved in the development of neurofibromatosis type I by whole-transcriptional sequencing. Seven hundred eighty DEGs were identified which include protein coding genes, miRNAs, and lncRNAs. The enrichment analysis may reveal pathways that these DEGs involved. A total of 383 protein-pairs for DEGs may unfold the possible mechanism how the disease is developed.

STUDY

DESIGN

This is a clinical basic study on neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1) with spinal deformity.

OBJECTIVE

The current research focuses on screening key molecules affecting NF-1 with spinal deformity by transcriptome sequencing and discovering its underlying molecular biological mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: NF-1 is a complex multisystem human disorder, which is often found in spinal deformities patients. The success rate of orthopedic surgery for neurofibromatosis type I combined with spinal deformities patients was low because of the lack of molecular pathology.

METHODS

In our study, the transcriptome-wide sequencing was preformed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in this disease.

RESULTS

Seven hundred eighty DEGs were identified which include protein coding genes, miRNAs, and lncRNAs. The DO, GO, KEGG and Reactome enrichment analysis may reveal pathways that these DEGs involved. And the 383 protein-pairs for DEGs that are involved in NF-1 combined with spinal deformities may unfold the possible mechanism how this disease is developed.

CONCLUSION

The differentially expressed miRNAs and lncRNAs may contribute the ceRNA network. We focused on three key DEGs: FGFR2, MAP3K1 and STAT4. FGFR2 and MAP3K1 are members of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK-signaling pathway, and STAT4 were involved in the JAK/STAT pathway. The expression changes were verified by other researches and the functional cross-talk between the Ras/MAPK and JAK/STAT pathways may contribute in the disease development. This study took insight of the molecular mechanism of this disease. More detailed interactions between these factors are needed to be further explored. These key DEGs and involved pathways may provide clues in the clinical process for patients with NF-1, especially in prognosis prediction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.