Analysis of the expression profile of miRNAs related to skin photoaging in the GEO database

Abstract

Background

Skin aging has recently gained significant attention in both society and skin care research. Understanding the biological processes of photoaging caused by long-term skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation is critical for preventing and treating skin aging. Therefore, it is important to identify genes related to skin photoaging and shed light on their functions.

Methods

We used data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and conducted bioinformatics analyses to screen and extract microRNAs (miRNAs) and their downstream target genes related to skin photoaging, and to determine possible biological mechanisms of skin photoaging.

Results

A total of 34 differentially expressed miRNAs and their downstream target genes potentially related to the biological process of skin photoaging were identified. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis showed that these target genes were enriched in pathways related to human papillomavirus infection, extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor signaling, estrogen receptor, skin development, epidermal development, epidermal cell differentiation, keratinocyte differentiation, structural components of the ECM, structural components of the skin epidermis, and others.

Conclusion

Based on the GEO database-derived findings, we determined that target genes of two miRNAs, namely miR-4667-5P-KRT79 and miR-139-5P-FOS, play an important role in skin photoaging. These observations could provide theoretical support and guidance for further research on skin aging-related biological processes.