Objectives: Plasma microRNAs are considered potential diagnostic biomarkers for endometriosis. Increasing evidence has shown that a huge number of miRNAs are abnormally expressed in endometriosis plasma and play irreplaceable roles in diagnosis.
Material and methods: The aim of our study was to identify the differential expression of circular miRNA by reviewing the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases between normal women and women with endometriosis and analyzing the miRNA data downloaded from the GEO database.
Results: Because of the differential miRNA expression in this review, we evaluated the diagnostic values of the differentially expressed miRNAs, particularly during the menstrual phases. According to the cut-off criteria with |log 2 FC| > 1.0 and P < 0.05, 36 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, including 13 upregulated miRNAs and 23 downregulated miRNAs. We developed miR-155, miR-574, miR-23a, and miR-520d via a Venn diagram. Functional enrichment analysis considered that the target miRNAs might be involved in various pathways related to endometriosis, including neurotrophin, Hippo, oocyte meiosis, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, HTLV-Infection, FoxO, and Rap1 signaling pathways. CTNNB1, MYC, and ES R1 of transcription factors were related to the differentially expressed miRNAs.
Conclusions: In summary, our study suggested that a four-miRNA could be included as a prognostic marker in endometriosis.
Keywords: circular; diagnosis; endometriosis; microRNA; plasma.