Identification of Circulating MicroRNAs as Potential Biomarkers for Detecting Acute Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are present in serum and have the potential to serve as disease biomarkers. As such, it is important to explore the clinical value of miRNAs in serum as biomarkers for ischemic stroke (IS) and cast light on the pathogenesis of IS. In this study, we screened differentially expressed serum miRNAs from IS and normal people by miRNA microarray analysis, and validated the expression of candidate miRNAs using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. Furthermore, we performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses to disclose functional enrichment of genes predicted to be regulated by the differentially expressed miRNAs. Notably, our results revealed that 115 miRNAs were differentially expressed in IS, among which miR-32-3p, miR-106-5p, and miR-532-5p were first found to be associated with IS. In addition, GO and KEGG pathway analyses showed that genes predicted to be regulated by differentially expressed miRNAs were significantly enriched in several related biological process and pathways, including axon guidance, glioma, MAPK signaling, mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, and ErbB-signaling pathway. In conclusion, we identified the changed expression pattern of miRNAs in IS. Serum miR-32-3p, miR-106-5p, miR-1246, and miR-532-5p may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for IS. Our results also demonstrate a novel role for miRNAs in the pathogenesis of IS.

Elevation of brain-enriched miRNAs in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with acute ischemic stroke

“…In both studies cell culture experiments indicated that miR-124 is involved in apoptosis. Recently, Li et al [13] reported up-regulation of three miRNAs in serum of stroke patients including miR-1246, which had the highest fold change (FC = 13.6; p  = 0.01) in our NGS experiment. In summary, these results, although not fully comparable, support our findings.…”

Differential Expression of MiR-106b-5p and MiR-200c-3p in Newly Diagnosed Versus Chronic Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia Patients Based on Systematic Analysis

“…In atherosclerotic diseases, it can inhibit the production of phosphatase and tensin homolog in vascular endothelial cells, blocking TNF-α–induced activation of caspase-3 and preventing endothelial cell apoptosis [77]. Serum miR-106b-5p has been shown to be a potential diagnostic biomarker for ischemic stroke [78]. miR-200c-3p, an important tumor-suppressive miRNA, can regulate cell-cycle mechanics and apoptosis in breast cancer and is a potential diagnostic biomarker distinguishing normal individuals from those with gastric cancer [79, 80].…”

Physiological Adjustments and Circulating MicroRNA Reprogramming Are Involved in Early Acclimatization to High Altitude in Chinese Han Males

“…Metabolic adjustment is a key event in early altitude acclimatization. Moreover, it is intriguing that differentially expressed microRNAs between pre- and pro-exposure to high altitude overlapped with those found in ischemic stroke patients (Li et al, 2015). This indicates that hypoxia sensitive cmiRNAs are prevalent in hypoxia related diseases.…”