Genome-wide integrative analysis identified SNP-miRNA-mRNA interaction networks in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Aim: To detect SNP-miRNA-mRNA interaction networks and to elucidate miRNA-mediated regulation effects on mRNA expression. Materials & methods: In human peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 43 females, SNP-miRNA-mRNA interaction networks were established through an integrative analysis. Then causal inference test was followed to detect miRNA-mediated effects on mRNA expressions. Results: About 167 trios corresponding to 56 SNPs, 20 miRNAs and 47 target-mRNAs have the SNP-miRNA-mRNA interactions, but only 22 trios have miRNA-mediated effects between SNP and mRNA. For the three miRNAs (hsa-miR-222-3p, hsa-miR-181b-5p and hsa-miR-106b-5p), each mediates at least four correlations between SNP and mRNA. The mRNAs in interaction play an important role in energy metabolism, cellular and tissue homeostasis. Conclusion: This study represents the first effort of constructing an integrative interaction network of SNP-miRNA-mRNA and miRNA-mediated regulatory effects that provide helpful clues for future investigations of peripheral blood mononuclear cell-related physiological process and immunological diseases.