Comprehensive Analysis of circRNA Expression Pattern in Senescent EPCs

Abstract Introduction: Atherosclerosis(AS) is a major disease affecting the elderly health. CircRNAs are found to play important roles in AS. This study aims to explore the biological functions of circRNAs in senescent EPCs. Methods: Endothelial progenitor cells which can differentiate into endothelial cells and their replicative senescent cells were used. we analyzed the circRNA expression profiles using RNA-seq, picked up- and down- regulated circRNAs, next done gene ontology (GO) and KEGG analysis, and last circRNA-miRNA-target interactions were predicted. Results: Many circRNAs were identified as significantly dysregulated in senescent cells. GO analysis showed that differential expressed circRNAs origin genes were involved mainly in metabolic process, immune system process and response to stimulus. KEGG pathway enrichment is involved mainly in endocytosis, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, mTOR signaling pathway and AMPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, we generated a dysregulated circRNA-miRNA binding and found four circRNAs (has_circ_0007710, _0067750, _0007029, _0002202) were related to atherosclerosis. Conclusions: These results show that circRNAs might play crucial roles in the development of atherosclerosis in aging.