Integrative analysis of mRNA and miRNA expression profiles in oral lichen planus: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: Oral lichen planus (OLP), a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, is considered a potentially malignant oral disorder. The aim of the present study was to analyze candidate microRNAs (miRNAs) and genes from patients with OLP and healthy controls (HCs). STUDY DESIGN: Biopsy specimens of the oral mucosa were collected from patients with OLP (n = 9) and from HCs (n = 4). Differentially expressed miRNAs and differentially expressed genes were screened by using next-generation sequencing with DESeq and edgeR software algorithms. RESULTS: A total of 94 differentially expressed miRNAs and 599 differentially expressed genes were detected in OLP. Potential regulatory miRNAs and genes were obtained by analyzing miRNA-messenger RNA networks. Of these, 5 downregulated miRNAs-Hsa-miR-135 a-5 p (P = .33), hsa-miR-128-3 p (P = .03), hsa-miR-218-5 p (P = .01), hsa-miR-125 a-5 p (P = .01), and hsa-let-7 e-5 p (P = .04)-were the most promising biomarkers in patients with OLP compared with HCs. The identified differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in "inflammatory" events and immune-related terms through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The integrative analysis of messenger RNA and miRNA profiles provides important information to elucidate gene expression mechanisms and a comprehensive perspective to study the etiology and pathogenesis of OLP.