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Updated: May 3, 2026
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers of acute stroke
Sugunavathi Sepramaniam1, Jun-Rong Tan2, Kay-Sin Tan3
1Department of Biochemistry and Neuroscience Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore. bchss@nus.edu.sg.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs have been identified as key regulators of gene expression and thus their potential in disease diagnostics, prognosis and therapy is being actively pursued. Deregulation of microRNAs in cerebral pathogenesis has been reported to a limited extent in both animal models and human. Due to the complexity of the pathology, identifying stroke specific microRNAs has been a challenge. This study shows that microRNA profiles reflect not only the temporal progression of stroke but also the specific etiologies. A panel of 32 microRNAs, which could differentiate stroke etiologies during acute phase was identified and verified using a customized TaqMan Low Density Array (TLDA). Furthermore we also found 5 microRNAs, miR-125b-2*, -27a*, -422a, -488 and -627 to be consistently altered in acute stroke irrespective of age or severity or confounding metabolic complications. Differential expression of these 5 microRNAs was also observed in rat stroke models. Hence, their specificity to the stroke pathology emphasizes the possibility of developing these microRNAs into accurate and useful tools for diagnosis of stroke.
Insights
Specific microRNAs can identify stroke types and progression. Five key microRNAs are consistently altered in acute stroke, showing potential as diagnostic biomarkers for stroke.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and are explored for disease diagnostics and therapy.
- MicroRNA deregulation in brain diseases is known but stroke-specific markers remain challenging to identify.
- Understanding microRNA roles in cerebral pathogenesis is crucial for developing new diagnostic tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific microRNAs that can differentiate stroke etiologies.
- To determine if microRNA profiles reflect stroke progression and severity.
- To validate potential stroke-specific microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a customized TaqMan Low Density Array (TLDA) to analyze microRNA profiles.
- Identified and verified a panel of 32 microRNAs for differentiating acute stroke etiologies.
- Compared microRNA expression in human stroke patients and rat stroke models.
Main Results:
- MicroRNA profiles accurately reflect stroke's temporal progression and specific etiologies.
- A panel of 32 microRNAs was identified to differentiate stroke etiologies in the acute phase.
- Five specific microRNAs (miR-125b-2*, -27a*, -422a, -488, -627) were consistently altered in acute stroke, independent of patient factors.
- Differential expression of these five microRNAs was confirmed in rat stroke models.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNA signatures can distinguish stroke types and track disease progression.
- The identified panel of 32 microRNAs holds potential for classifying stroke etiologies.
- The five consistently altered microRNAs show promise as specific biomarkers for acute stroke diagnosis.
