Network cross-talks between microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs may be useful to elucidate the pathological mechanisms of pancreatic islet cells in diabetic individuals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cross-talks between miRNAs and mRNAs in pancreatic tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice through microarray and bioinformatic methods. Based on the miRNA microarray, 64 upregulated and 72 downregulated miRNAs were observed in pancreatic tissues in diabetic mice compared to the normal controls. Based on the mRNA microarrray, 507 upregulated mRNAs and 570 downregulated mRNAs were identified in pancreatic tissues in diabetic mice compared to the normal controls. Notably, there were 246 binding points between upregulated miRNA and downregulated mRNAs; simultaneously, there were 583 binding points between downregulated miRNA and upregulated mRNAs. These changed mRNA may potentially involve the following signaling pathways: Insulin secretion, pancreatic secretion, mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway, forkhead box O signaling pathway and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling. The fluctuating effects of miRNAs and matched mRNAs indicated that miRNAs may have wide cross-talks with mRNAs in pancreatic tissues of type 1 diabetic mice. The cross-talks may play important roles in contributing to impaired islet functions and the development of diabetes. However, further functional validation should be conducted in the future.
