Identification of lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA networks in circulating exosomes as potential biomarkers for systemic sclerosis

This study aimed to analyze potential biomarkers for systemic sclerosis (SSc) by constructing lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA networks in circulating exosomes (cirexos). Overall design: Differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in SSc cirexos were screened using high-throughput sequencing and detected with real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed using the DisGeNET, GeneCards, GSEA4.2.3, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, correlation analyses, and a double-luciferase reporter gene detection assay were used to analyze competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) networks and clinical data.