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Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Cerebrospinal Fluid MicroRNA Profiling Using Quantitative Real Time PCR
Published on: January 22, 2014
Detection of circulating miRNA levels in schizophrenia
Hui Wei1, Yanbo Yuan1, Sha Liu1
1From the National Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing; Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing; Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing; Center for Biological Psychiatry, Beijing Hui-Long-Guan Hospital, Beijing; Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai; Beijing Anding Hospital, Beijing; Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu; Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha.
Objective:
Diagnosis of schizophrenia is currently dependent on symptom-based criteria and lacks objective indicators. In this study, the authors investigated whether circulating miRNA can serve as a diagnostic biomarker for schizophrenia.
Methods:
Global plasma miRNAs were profiled in a test cohort of 164 schizophrenia patients and 187 control subjects, using Solexa sequencing, TaqMan Low Density Array, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. The captured miRNAs were then validated by qRT-PCR assays in an independent cohort of 400 schizophrenia patients, 213 control subjects, and 162 patients with nonschizophrenia psychiatric disorders; the 400 schizophrenia patients underwent a 12-month follow up study of regular treatment with an atypical antipsychotic (risperidone and aripiprazole).
Results:
The global plasma miRNA screening revealed eight miRNAs that were up-regulated in schizophrenia, as revealed by both assay platforms. The qRT-PCR analysis showed the up-regulation of miR-130b and miR-193a-3p in schizophrenia but not in nonschizophrenia disorders.
Conclusions:
The up-regulation of miR-130b and miR-193a-3p is a state-independent biomarker for schizophrenia, and these two miRNAs could be used to develop a diagnostic tool for schizophrenia.
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