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Updated: Apr 17, 2026
Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
Differential expression of miR-31 between inflammatory bowel disease and microscopic colitis
Chen Zhang, Zijin Zhao, Hany Osman
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 350 West 11th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
Background:
Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and microscopic colitis (MC) are distinct entities. However, patients with intermittent episodes of IBD and MC that are encountered in a clinical setting puzzle clinicians and pathologists. This study examined whether microRNA assisted in the classification of IBD and MC.
Design:
Small RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) colon tissue and qRT-PCR was performed from cohorts of normal control (n=38), ulcerative colitis (n=36), Crohns disease (n=26), collagenous colitis (n=36), lymphocytic colitis (n=30), and patients with intermittent features of IBD and MC (n=6).
Results:
Differential expression of miR-31 distinguished IBD (ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease) from MC (collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis), confirming the specificity of miR-31 expression in IBD (P=0.00001). In addition, expression of miR-31 was increased in collagenous colitis compared to that of lymphocytic colitis (P=0.010). Among 6 patients with alternating episodes of IBD and MC, one patient had matching miR-31 expression in different phases (lymphocytic colitis to ulcerative colitis, and then back to collagenous colitis). The other 5 patients had MC-like expression patterns in both MC and IBD episodes.
Conclusion:
In summary, IBD and MC have distinct miR-31 expression pattern. Therefore, miR-31 might be used as a biomarker to distinguish between IBD and MC in FFPE colonic tissue. In addition, miR-31 is differentially expressed in colonic tissue between lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis, suggesting them of separate disease processes. Finally, patients with alternating IBD and MC episodes represent a diverse group. Among them, the majority demonstrates MC-like miR-31 expression pattern in MC phases, which seems unlikely to support the speculation of MC as an inactive form of IBD. Although the mechanisms deserve further investigation, microRNA is a potentially useful biomarker to differentiate IBD and MC.
Insights
MicroRNA-31 (miR-31) expression patterns can distinguish inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from microscopic colitis (MC). This finding suggests miR-31 may serve as a biomarker for classifying these distinct gastrointestinal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and microscopic colitis (MC) are distinct conditions.
- Clinical and pathological differentiation can be challenging, especially in cases with intermittent features.
- MicroRNA (miRNA) expression is being investigated as a potential diagnostic tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of microRNA expression profiling in differentiating IBD from MC.
- To determine if specific miRNAs can serve as biomarkers for classifying these distinct colonic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Small RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) colon tissues.
- Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed on samples from normal controls, IBD patients (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), MC patients (collagenous colitis, lymphocytic colitis), and patients with intermittent IBD/MC features.
- Differential expression analysis of specific miRNAs was conducted.
Main Results:
- Differential expression of miR-31 clearly distinguished IBD from MC (P=0.00001).
- miR-31 expression was significantly higher in collagenous colitis compared to lymphocytic colitis (P=0.010).
- Among patients with alternating IBD and MC episodes, most exhibited MC-like miR-31 expression patterns during both phases, suggesting distinct disease processes.
Conclusions:
- Distinct miR-31 expression patterns exist between IBD and MC, indicating its potential as a biomarker in FFPE colonic tissue.
- Differential miR-31 expression between lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis supports their classification as separate disease entities.
- Patients with alternating IBD and MC episodes represent a heterogeneous group, with the majority showing MC-like miR-31 expression, challenging the notion of MC as an inactive form of IBD.
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