Non-coding RNAs in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Reproductive biology and endocrinology Vol. 19; no. 1; p. 10
• Main Authors: Mu, Liangshan, Sun, Xiaoting, Tu, Mixue, Zhang, Dan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 14.01.2021; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Analysis; Apoptosis; Biomarkers; Cell proliferation; Cell Proliferation - genetics; circRNA; Development and progression; Etiology; Female; Follicular fluid; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation; Genetic analysis; Granulosa cells; Humans; Long non-coding RNA; Meta-analysis; MicroRNA; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - genetics; miRNA; Non-coding RNA; Ovaries; Ovary - metabolism; Ovary - pathology; Pathogenesis; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - diagnosis; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - genetics; Review; RNA, Circular - genetics; RNA, Long Noncoding - genetics; RNA, Small Interfering - genetics; Sensitivity analysis; siRNA; Stein-Leventhal syndrome; Steroidogenesis; Systematic review; Type 2 diabetes; Womens health; Polycystic ovary syndrome; microRNA; circRNA; Non-coding RNA; Long non-coding RNA
• ISSN: 1477-7827; 1477-7827
• DOI: 10.1186/s12958-020-00687-9

Genetic, environmental and epigenetical factors may play important roles in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), however the etiology of PCOS remains unclear. Studies indicated that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) were involved in the occurrence and development of PCOS. Thus, we aim to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the presence and dysregulated expression of ncRNAs in human PCOS. We searched in PubMed, Medline, Web of Science and Embase until July 2019 and summarized all eligible publications focusing on microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in PCOS. Sixty-seven articles were included in our systematic review and 9 articles were included in meta-analysis. There is little overlap between studies when comparing miRNA profiles. Sensitivity analysis showed that the expression of miR-93 was upregulated in PCOS patients (WMD 0.75, P < 0.00001), without heterogeneity among remaining studies (I  = 0%). A large number of ncRNAs with altered levels were observed in plasma, serum, follicular fluid, granulosa cells or other issues from PCOS patients. Aberrant ncRNAs expression in PCOS may lead to aberrant steroidogenesis, adipocyte dysfunction, altered ovarian cell proliferation and/or apoptosis and have the potential to be used as diagnostic biomarkers.