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MicroRNA-134 as a potential plasma biomarker for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism
Junjie Xiao1, Zhi-Cheng Jing, Patrick T Ellinor
1Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, China (East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine), Shanghai, China.
Background:
Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) remains a diagnostic challenge due to a variable clinical presentation and the lack of a reliable screening tool. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression in a wide range of pathophysiologic processes. Circulating miRNAs are emerging biomarkers in heart failure, type 2 diabetes and other disease states; however, using plasma miRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of APE is still unknown.
Methods:
Thirty-two APE patients, 32 healthy controls, and 22 non-APE patients (reported dyspnea, chest pain, or cough) were enrolled in this study. The TaqMan miRNA microarray was used to identify dysregulated miRNAs in the plasma of APE patients. The TaqMan-based miRNA quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions were used to validate the dysregulated miRNAs. The receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the miRNA identified as the candidate biomarker.
Results:
Plasma miRNA-134 (miR-134) level was significantly higher in the APE patients than in the healthy controls or non-APE patients. The ROC curve showed that plasma miR-134 was a specific diagnostic predictor of APE with an area under the curve of 0.833 (95% confidence interval, 0.737 to 0.929; P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Our findings indicated that plasma miR-134 could be an important biomarker for the diagnosis of APE. Because of this finding, large-scale investigations are urgently needed to pave the way from basic research to clinical utilization.
Insights
Plasma microRNA-134 (miR-134) is a promising biomarker for diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism (APE). This finding could improve APE detection, though further large-scale studies are needed for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) diagnosis is challenging due to varied symptoms and lack of reliable screening.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of gene expression with potential as biomarkers in various diseases.
- The utility of plasma miRNAs for diagnosing APE has not been previously established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of circulating microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for acute pulmonary embolism.
- To identify specific microRNAs in plasma that are dysregulated in APE patients.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples from 32 APE patients, 32 healthy controls, and 22 non-APE patients were analyzed.
- MicroRNA microarray identified dysregulated miRNAs; quantitative real-time PCR validated findings.
- Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis assessed diagnostic accuracy.
Main Results:
- Plasma miR-134 levels were significantly elevated in APE patients compared to controls.
- ROC analysis revealed miR-134 as a specific diagnostic predictor for APE (AUC = 0.833).
Conclusions:
- Plasma miR-134 shows potential as a significant biomarker for APE diagnosis.
- Larger studies are required to validate these findings for clinical application.
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