Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
Rectal microRNAs are perturbed in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease of the colon
Adam M Zahm1, Nicholas J Hand1, Daphne M Tsoucas1
1The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Insights
Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves changes in intestinal microRNAs. This study identified specific microRNAs in rectal tissue and serum of children with IBD, offering potential for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Intestinal microRNA alterations are known in adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Limited research exists on microRNA changes in pediatric IBD.
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are key forms of IBD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify microRNA expression changes in pediatric IBD patients.
- To investigate microRNAs in rectal tissue and serum.
- To explore potential diagnostic markers for pediatric colitis.
Main Methods:
- Collected rectal biopsies and blood samples from pediatric patients undergoing endoscopy.
- Profiled microRNA levels using nCounter and TaqMan platforms.
- Validated findings using quantitative RT-PCR and in vitro assays.
Main Results:
- Identified 21 significantly altered microRNAs in rectal tissue between control, UC, and CD groups.
- Confirmed nine microRNAs as significantly changed, with miR-24 elevated in UC vs. CD.
- Detected three colitis-associated microRNAs in serum with diagnostic utility, but unable to differentiate UC from CD.
Conclusions:
- Rectal and serum microRNAs are altered in pediatric IBD.
- These microRNAs show potential as biomarkers for pediatric IBD.
- Further research into microRNA targets may yield novel therapeutic strategies.
Background And Aims:
Changes in intestinal microRNAs have been reported in adult patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. The goal of this study was to identify changes in microRNA expression associated with colitis in children with inflammatory bowel disease.
Methods:
Rectal mucosal biopsies (n = 50) and blood samples (n = 47) were collected from patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease undergoing endoscopy. Rectal and serum microRNA levels were profiled using the nCounter platform and the TaqMan low-density array platform, respectively. Significantly altered microRNAs were validated in independent sample sets via quantitative RT-PCR. In vitro luciferase reporter assays were performed in the human colorectal Caco-2 cell line to determine the effect of miR-192 on NOD2 expression.
Results:
Profiling of rectal RNA identified 21 microRNAs significantly altered between control, UC, and colonic CD sample groups. Nine of the ten microRNAs selected for validation were confirmed as significantly changed. Rectal miR-24 was increased 1.47-fold in UC compared to CD samples (p = 0.0052) and was the only microRNA altered between IBD subtypes. Three colitis-associated microRNAs were significantly altered in sera of disease patients and displayed diagnostic utility. However, no serum microRNAs were found to distinguish ulcerative colitis from Crohn's colitis. Finally, miR-192 inhibition did not affect luciferase reporter activity, suggesting that miR-192 does not regulate human NOD2.
Conclusion:
This study has demonstrated that rectal and serum microRNAs are perturbed in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Future studies identifying targets of inflammatory bowel disease-associated microRNAs may lead to novel therapies.
More Related Videos
09:01Non-invasive Assessment of the Efficacy of New Therapeutics for Intestinal Pathologies Using Serial Endoscopic Imaging of Live Mice
Published on: March 10, 2015
08:39In Vivo Photolabeling of Cells in the Colon to Assess Migratory Potential of Hematopoietic Cells in Neonatal Mice
Published on: August 10, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...