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Freitas R, Felipe S, Pacheco C, Faria E, Martins J, Fortes J, Silva D, Oliveira P, Ceccatto V. Loss of miRNA-Mediated VEGFA Regulation by SNP-Induced Impairment: A Bioinformatic Analysis in Diabetic Complications. Biomedicines 2025; 13:1192. [PMID: 40427019 PMCID: PMC12109573 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13051192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2025] [Revised: 05/06/2025] [Accepted: 05/08/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are molecules involved in biological regulation processes, including type 2 diabetes and its complications development. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can alter miRNA mechanisms, resulting in loss or gain effects. VEGFA is recognized for its role in angiogenesis. However, its overexpression can lead to deleterious effects, such as disorganized and inefficient vasculature. Under hyperglycemic conditions, VEGFA expression seems to increase, which may contribute to the development of microvascular and macrovascular diabetic complications. Several miRNAs are associated with VEGFA regulation and seem to act in the prevention of dysregulated expression. This study aimed to investigate SNPs in miRNA regions related to the loss effect in VEGFA regulation, examining their frequency and potential physiological effects in the development of diabetic complications. Methods: VEGFA-targeting miRNAs were identified using the R package multimiR, with validated and predicted results. Tissue expression analysis and SNP search were data-mined with Python 3 for miRNASNP-v3 SNP raw databases. Allele frequencies were obtained from dbSNP. The miRNA-mRNA interaction comparison was obtained in the miRmap tool through Python 3. MalaCards were used to infer physiological disease association. Results: The variant rs371699284 was selected in hsa-miR-654-3p among 103 potential VEGFA-targeting miRNAs. This selected SNP demonstrated promising results in bioinformatics predictions, tissue-specific expression, and population frequency, highlighting its potential role in miRNA regulation and the resulting loss in VEGFA-silencing efficiency. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that carriers of rs1238947970 may increase susceptibility to diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications. Furthermore, in vitro and in silico studies are necessary to better understand these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Freitas
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of UECE—LABIEX, Superior Institute of Biomedical Science—ISCB, State University of Ceará—UECE, Silas Munguba Avenue, 1700, Fortaleza 60714-903, CE, Brazil; (S.F.); (E.F.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (P.O.); (V.C.)
| | - Stela Felipe
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of UECE—LABIEX, Superior Institute of Biomedical Science—ISCB, State University of Ceará—UECE, Silas Munguba Avenue, 1700, Fortaleza 60714-903, CE, Brazil; (S.F.); (E.F.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (P.O.); (V.C.)
| | - Christina Pacheco
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Federal University of Paraíba—UFPB, João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil;
| | - Emmanuelle Faria
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of UECE—LABIEX, Superior Institute of Biomedical Science—ISCB, State University of Ceará—UECE, Silas Munguba Avenue, 1700, Fortaleza 60714-903, CE, Brazil; (S.F.); (E.F.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (P.O.); (V.C.)
| | - Jonathan Martins
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of UECE—LABIEX, Superior Institute of Biomedical Science—ISCB, State University of Ceará—UECE, Silas Munguba Avenue, 1700, Fortaleza 60714-903, CE, Brazil; (S.F.); (E.F.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (P.O.); (V.C.)
| | - Jefferson Fortes
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of UECE—LABIEX, Superior Institute of Biomedical Science—ISCB, State University of Ceará—UECE, Silas Munguba Avenue, 1700, Fortaleza 60714-903, CE, Brazil; (S.F.); (E.F.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (P.O.); (V.C.)
| | - Denner Silva
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of UECE—LABIEX, Superior Institute of Biomedical Science—ISCB, State University of Ceará—UECE, Silas Munguba Avenue, 1700, Fortaleza 60714-903, CE, Brazil; (S.F.); (E.F.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (P.O.); (V.C.)
| | - Paulo Oliveira
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of UECE—LABIEX, Superior Institute of Biomedical Science—ISCB, State University of Ceará—UECE, Silas Munguba Avenue, 1700, Fortaleza 60714-903, CE, Brazil; (S.F.); (E.F.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (P.O.); (V.C.)
| | - Vania Ceccatto
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of UECE—LABIEX, Superior Institute of Biomedical Science—ISCB, State University of Ceará—UECE, Silas Munguba Avenue, 1700, Fortaleza 60714-903, CE, Brazil; (S.F.); (E.F.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (P.O.); (V.C.)
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Dioguardi M, Musella G, Bizzoca ME, Sovereto D, Guerra C, Laterza P, Martella A, Lo Muzio L, Di Domenico M, Cantore S, Ballini A. The Prognostic Role of miR-375 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:2183. [PMID: 40076805 PMCID: PMC11900050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26052183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2025] [Revised: 02/21/2025] [Accepted: 02/26/2025] [Indexed: 03/14/2025] Open
Abstract
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of malignancies with poor survival outcomes, particularly in advanced stages. Identifying prognostic biomarkers could help improve patient management. miR-375, a small non-coding RNA, has been shown to influence tumor growth and immune responses, making it a candidate biomarker. This study aims to evaluate the role of miR-375 expression in predicting survival outcomes in HNSCC patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, incorporating data from six studies and the TGCA cohort, encompassing 452 patients. Fixed-effects models were applied to calculate aggregated hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier curves were analyzed using the Tierney method, and Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) was performed to assess statistical power. Low miR-375 expression was associated with poorer OS, with an aggregated HR of 1.23 (95% CI: 1.10-1.37). Subgroup analysis showed consistent trends across oral and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Sensitivity analysis confirmed these findings. TSA revealed that although the number of patients was sufficient, statistical power was insufficient to confirm a predefined risk reduction ratio (RRR) of 49%. Data from the TGCA cohort supported the meta-analysis findings, with an HR for OS of 1.32 (95% CI: 0.96-1.8). Low miR-375 expression is associated with worse survival outcomes in HNSCC patients, indicating its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. However, the retrospective nature of the included studies underscores the need for prospective research to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Dioguardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.D.); (G.M.); (M.E.B.); (D.S.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (L.L.M.); (A.B.)
| | - Gennaro Musella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.D.); (G.M.); (M.E.B.); (D.S.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (L.L.M.); (A.B.)
| | - Maria Eleonora Bizzoca
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.D.); (G.M.); (M.E.B.); (D.S.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (L.L.M.); (A.B.)
| | - Diego Sovereto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.D.); (G.M.); (M.E.B.); (D.S.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (L.L.M.); (A.B.)
| | - Ciro Guerra
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.D.); (G.M.); (M.E.B.); (D.S.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (L.L.M.); (A.B.)
| | - Pietro Laterza
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.D.); (G.M.); (M.E.B.); (D.S.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (L.L.M.); (A.B.)
| | - Angelo Martella
- DataLab, Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Lo Muzio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.D.); (G.M.); (M.E.B.); (D.S.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (L.L.M.); (A.B.)
| | - Marina Di Domenico
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Stefania Cantore
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Andrea Ballini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.D.); (G.M.); (M.E.B.); (D.S.); (C.G.); (P.L.); (L.L.M.); (A.B.)
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