血清miRNA-93、miRNA-223联合miRNA-324-3p可作为诊断PCOS的生物标记物

本研究拟基于最近的miRNA报道,结合前期关于肌肉生长抑素(myostatin, MSTN)的相关研究,探究多囊卵巢综合症(ploycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS)患者血清miRNA和生长抑素的表达及其相关临床病理特征。本研究选取160例在湘南学院附属医院妇科就诊的女性为研究对象,通过PCR、ELISA等方法比较PCOS患者血清miRNA和生长抑素的表达情况,并且分析其相关临床病理特征。结果显示,通过PCR的方法发现mi RNA-93、mi RNA-223在PCOS患者的血清中显著升高,而mi RNA-4522、mi RNA-6767-5p和mi RNA-324-3p则表达下降。本研究建立了3个miRNA的预测模型,并证实预测模型在筛选组和验证组中有很好的敏感性和特异性,可以有效区分PCOS患者和正常人群,但研究结果也发现,miRNA模型结合MSTN没有更好的诊断价值。     

miRNA-148a and miRNA-30c expressions as potential biomarkers in breast cancer patients

BackgroundBreast cancer is an extensively identified malignant tumor and is a prime cause of cancer mortalities in females. It has been shown that alteration of miRNAs expression (up or down regulation) can affect the initiation and progression of many malignancies. We aimed to evaluate the role of circulating miRNA-148a and miRNA-30c in female patients with breast cancer and estimate their usage as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis and survival of breast cancer.MethodsThis study included 75 breast cancer female patients.They were compared with 55 apparently healthy female subjects. miRNAs expression analysis was assessed via real-time PCR.ResultsTo discriminate breast cancer patients from controls, miR-30c showed the best performance at a cut off value of ≤20.6 (AUC = 0.998, 97.33% sensitivity, 96.36% specificity, p < 0.001), followed by miR-148a (AUC = 0.995, 94.67% sensitivity, 90.91% specificity, p < 0.001 at a cut off value of ≤0.1), CA 15-3 (AUC = 0.930, 88.0% sensitivity, 81.82% specificity, p < 0.001 at a cut off value of >21.3), and finally CEA (AUC = 0.751, 70.67% sensitivity, 63.64% specificity, p < 0.001 at a cut off value of >2.5).ConclusionmiRNA-148a and miRNA-30c expressions were down regulated in female patients with breast cancer and might be considered as potential blood biomarkers. Both also might have rule in disease treatment and selection of therapeutic targets. Future studies are needed to improve their role in predicting response to treatment and prognosis.     

A genetic screen implicates miRNA-372 and miRNA-373 as oncogenes in testicular germ cell tumors

Endogenous small RNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by mechanisms conserved across metazoans. While the number of verified human miRNAs is still expanding, only few have been functionally annotated. To perform genetic screens for novel functions of miRNAs, we developed a library of vectors expressing the majority of cloned human miRNAs and created corresponding DNA barcode arrays. In a screen for miRNAs that cooperate with oncogenes in cellular transformation, we identified miR-372 and miR-373, each permitting proliferation and tumorigenesis of primary human cells that harbor both oncogenic RAS and active wild-type p53. These miRNAs neutralize p53-mediated CDK inhibition, possibly through direct inhibition of the expression of the tumor-suppressor LATS2. We provide evidence that these miRNAs are potential novel oncogenes participating in the development of human testicular germ cell tumors by numbing the p53 pathway, thus allowing tumorigenic growth in the presence of wild-type p53.     

miRNA-1 regulates endothelin-1 in diabetes

Aims

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in several biological processes. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-1, an endothelin-1 (ET-1) targeting miRNA, in endothelial cells (ECs) and tissues of diabetic animals. ET-1 is known to be of pathogenetic significance in several chronic diabetic complications.

Main methods

PCR array was used to identify alterations of miRNA expression in ECs exposed to glucose. miR-1 expression was validated by TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Human retinal ECs (HRECs) and human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) exposed to various glucose levels with or without miR-1 mimic transfection, and tissues from streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals after two months of follow-up, were examined for miR-1 expression, as well as ET-1 and fibronectin (FN) mRNA and protein levels.

Key findings

Array analyses showed glucose-induced alterations of 125 miRNAs (out of 381) in ECs exposed to 25 mM glucose compared to 5 mM glucose. Fifty-one miRNAs were upregulated and 74 were downregulated. 25 mM glucose decreased miR-1 expression and increased ET-1 mRNA and protein levels. miR-1 mimic transfection prevented HG-induced ET-1 upregulation. Furthermore, glucose induced upregulation of FN, which is mediated partly by ET-1, was also prevented by such transfection.Diabetic animals showed decreased miR-1 expression in the retina, heart and kidneys. In parallel, ET-1 mRNA expressions were increased in these tissues of diabetic animals, in association with upregulation of FN.

Significance

These results indicate a novel glucose-induced mechanism of tissue damage, in which miR-1 regulates ET-1 expressions in diabetes. Identifying such mechanisms may lead to RNA based treatment for diabetic complications.     

miRNA-105在胃癌组织中的表达情况

目的:分析胃癌组织与癌旁正常胃黏膜组织中miRNA的差异表达情况。方法:收集胃癌组织和其相应癌旁正常胃黏膜组织共33对,经抽提、纯化RNA后,反转录合成荧光分子Hy3的cDNA探针,将其与miRCURYTMLNA Array(v.16.0)(Exiqon公司)芯片进行杂交,应用Axon GenePix 4000B芯片扫描仪来扫描miRNA芯片的荧光强度,GenePix Pro 6.0软件(Axon)把图像转化为数字信号,以差异大于2倍的为标准来确定胃癌黏膜组织中差异表达的miRNA。再用实时荧光定量PCR方法验证芯片结果中表达异常增高的miR-105在33例胃癌组织中的表达情况。结果:miRNA表达谱芯片结果显示:胃癌组织共中有51种miRNA表达异常,其中miR-105、miR-548n、miR-214*、miR-4309等31种miRNA表达上调,miR-31、miR-1275、miR-26b*、miR-744等20种miRNA表达下调;实时荧光定量PCR证实与癌旁正常胃黏膜组织相比,胃癌组织中miR-105表达显著上调(P0.01)。结论:miR-105在胃癌组织的表达明显高于正常胃黏膜组织,可能与胃癌的发生、发展相关。我们的研究为胃癌的发病机制和诊断治疗提供了一个新的研究方向。     

miRNA-125在肝癌中表达变化的研究

目的:探讨微小RNA(miRNA)-125在正常人和肝癌患者血清,以及肝癌患者正常肝脏组织和肝癌组织中的表达.方法:应用荧光实时定量PCR方法检测miRNA-125,包括miRNA-125a、miRNA-125b在正常人和肝癌患者血清中的含量.同时收集并检测肝细胞癌患者术中取得的正常肝脏组织和癌症组织miRNA-125含量.结果:1)与正常人血清相比,miRNA-125在癌症患者血清中的含量没有明显变化.2)与正常肝脏组织相比,肝癌组织中miRNA-125含量明显下调,有统计学差异(P＜0.001).结论:MiRNA-125,包括miRNA-125a和miRNA-125b在肝癌组织中表达显著减少,但是在肝癌患者血清并没有明显变化.     

miRNA-492在肝癌中表达变化的研究

目的:通过观察miRNA-492在肝细胞株L02、肝胚细胞瘤HepT1细胞株和肝癌SMMC-7721细胞株中的表达差异,以及在正常肝脏组织、肝母细胞瘤组织和原发性肝癌组织中的含量差异,探讨其与不同类型肝脏肿瘤发生发展的关系.方法:应用Real time-PCR方法检测miRNA-492在正常L02肝细胞株和肝癌HepT1、SMMC-7721细胞株的含量.同时采集和检测原发性肝癌患者术中取得的正常肝脏组织和癌症组织,以及肝母细胞瘤患者瘤组织的含量.结果:1)与正常人L02肝细胞相比,miRNA-492在肝癌HepT1细胞株中的表达显著升高(P＜0.001),但在SMMC-7721细胞株中略升高,无统计学差异.2)与正常肝脏组织相比,miRNA-492在肝母细胞瘤的瘤组织中含量显著升高(P＜0.01),但原发性肝癌的癌组织略升高,无统计学差异.结论:miRNA-492在不同肝癌细胞株中表达不同,在肝胚细胞瘤中表达升高,且在肝母细胞瘤瘤组织中的表达高于正常肝脏组织.但原发性肝癌癌组织中变化不明显,这说明miRNA-492与某些类型肝癌,特别是肝母细胞瘤的发生发展有关.     

miRNA-181在肝癌中表达变化的研究

目的:观察微小RNA(miRNA)-181在正常人肝细胞L02、肝癌细胞株SMMC7221和Hep3B中的表达,以及在正常肝脏组织和肝癌组织中的表达,探讨其与肝癌发生发展的关系.方法:应用荧光实时定量PCR方法检测miRNA-181,包括miRNA-181a、miRNA-181b、miRNA-181c、miRNA-181d,在正常肝细胞和肝癌细胞的含量.同时收集并检测肝细胞癌患者术中取得的正常肝脏组织和癌症组织的含量.结果:MiRNA-181在肝癌细胞株中的表达明显高于正常人肝细胞(P＜0.05或P＜0.001).MiRNA-181在肝癌组织中表达明显高于正常肝脏组织(P＜0.05).结论:MiRNA-181在不同肝癌细胞株中表达不同,但都高于正常肝细胞,并且miRNA-181在肝癌组织中的表达高于正常肝脏组织.这说明miRNA-181与肝癌的发生发展有相关性,可能成为肝癌诊断和预后的一个指标.     

miRNA-155 and miRNA-181a as prognostic biomarkers for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Mortality rates of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have improved over the past 20 years; however, a significant portion of deaths stems from the lack of prognostic biomarkers, which can direct therapy and overcome drug resistance. microRNA-155a (miRNA-155a) and miRNA-181a are two single-stranded miRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of many types of leukemia and lymphoma and is linked to drug resistance. We investigated their expression levels in 55 patients, 45 diagnosed with ALL and 10 as a control group. We found that miRNA-155a and miRNA-181a were significantly upregulated in the ALL group with both being linked to high levels of minimal residual disease and poor prognosis. miRNA-155a cutoff value was significant in discriminating between high- and low-risk ALL patients as well as between ALL patients and healthy controls, miRNA-181a cutoff value, however, was not significant. Both markers levels were significantly downregulated after therapy. We conclude that miR-155 is correlated with poor prognosis in ALL, whereas we couldn’t link miRNA-181a to the prognosis in ALL. Moreover, the marked decrease in their expression after therapy could reflect their impact on disease outcome.     

miRNA-197 and miRNA-223 Predict Cardiovascular Death in a Cohort of Patients with Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease

Background

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been described as potential diagnostic biomarkers in cardiovascular disease and in particular, coronary artery disease (CAD). Few studies were undertaken to perform analyses with regard to risk stratification of future cardiovascular events. miR-126, miR-197 and miR-223 are involved in endovascular inflammation and platelet activation and have been described as biomarkers in the diagnosis of CAD. They were identified in a prospective study in relation to future myocardial infarction.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to further evaluate the prognostic value of these miRNAs in a large prospective cohort of patients with documented CAD.

Methods

Levels of miR-126, miR-197 and miR-223 were evaluated in serum samples of 873 CAD patients with respect to the endpoint cardiovascular death. miRNA quantification was performed using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results

The median follow-up period was 4 years (IQR 2.78–5.04). The median age of all patients was 64 years (IQR 57–69) with 80.2% males. 38.9% of the patients presented with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 61.1% were diagnosed with stable angina pectoris (SAP). Elevated levels of miRNA-197 and miRNA-223 reliably predicted future cardiovascular death in the overall group (miRNA-197: hazard ratio (HR) 1.77 per one standard deviation (SD) increase (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20; 2.60), p = 0.004, C-index 0.78; miRNA-223: HR 2.23 per one SD increase (1.20; 4.14), p = 0.011, C-index 0.80). In ACS patients the prognostic power of both miRNAs was even higher (miRNA-197: HR 2.24 per one SD increase (1.25; 4.01), p = 0.006, C-index 0.89); miRA-223: HR 4.94 per one SD increase (1.42; 17.20), p = 0.012, C-index 0.89).

Conclusion

Serum-derived circulating miRNA-197 and miRNA-223 were identified as predictors for cardiovascular death in a large patient cohort with CAD. These results reinforce the assumption that circulating miRNAs are promising biomarkers with prognostic value with respect to future cardiovascular events.