Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a
genetic disorder which involves pathological
heterotopic ossification of the spinal ligaments. Although studies have identified several genes that correlated with OPLL, the underlying regulation network is far from clear. Through small
RNA sequencing, we compared the
microRNA expressions of primary posterior longitudinal ligament cells form OPLL patients with normal patients (PLL) and identified 218 dysregulated
miRNAs (FDR < 0.01). Furthermore, assessing the
miRNA profiling data of multiple cell types, we found these dysregulated
miRNAs were mostly OPLL specific. In order to decipher the regulation network of these OPLL specific
miRNAs, we integrated
mRNA expression profiling data with
miRNA sequencing data. Through computational approaches, we showed the pivotal roles of these OPLL specific
miRNAs in
heterotopic ossification of longitudinal ligament by discovering highly correlated
miRNA/
mRNA pairs that associated with skeletal system development,
collagen fibril organization, and extracellular matrix organization. The results of which provide strong evidence that the
miRNA regulatory networks we established may indeed play vital roles in OPLL onset and progression. To date, this is the first systematic analysis of the micronome in OPLL, and thus may provide valuable resources in finding novel treatment and diagnostic targets of OPLL.