Bioinformatics analysis of microRNAs regulation of matrix metalloproteinases in the occurrence, progression and metastasis of breast cancer

Abstract:

Objective: To explore the potential target genes, signal transduction pathways and molecular mechanisms of MicroRNAs regulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in breast cancer using bioinformatics analysis. Methods: Gene chips samples of normal mammary gland tissues and breast cancer tissues were downloaded from GEO database and TCGA database. The differentially expressed genes between normal tissue samples and breast cancer tissues were analyzed by R software package Limma. KEGG pathway analysiswas performed for the screened differentially expressed genes. Results: Through trend analysis of differentially expressed genes, 544 significantly up-regulated genes and 1 030 significantly down-regulated genes were screened, among which MMP1/3/9/11/13/28 could be related genes that mediate invasive progression of breast cancer. Survival analysis showed that the high expression of MMP1/3/9/11/13 was associated with poor prognosis, and the high expression of MMP1 was an independent risk factor for breast cancer (P<0.01). Conclusion: The integrative bioinformatics analysis performed in the present study suggests that the expression of MMPs is increased in breast cancer and other cancer tissues, and the expression of MMPs can significantly affect the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Compared with other MMPs, MMP1 may be an appropriate target for targeted therapy in patients with breast cancer.