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Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Fast and Simplified Method for High Through-put Isolation of miRNA from Highly Purified High Density Lipoprotein
Published on: July 27, 2016
Circulating microRNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Obese Children
Abdelnaby Khalyfa1, Leila Kheirandish-Gozal1, Rakesh Bhattacharjee1
1Department of Pediatrics, Pritzker School of Medicine, Biological Sciences Division, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Insights
Endothelial dysfunction in children may be screened using plasma microRNAs (miRNAs). Three specific miRNAs (hsa-miR-125a-5p, hsa-miR-342-3p, hsa-miR-365b-3p) were identified as potential biomarkers for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric cardiology
- Molecular biology
- Biomarker discovery
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is complex with multifactorial causes.
- Endothelial dysfunction is an early CVD risk factor in children.
- Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are key gene regulators and potential biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between endothelial dysfunction and differential plasma miRNA expression in healthy children.
- To identify specific miRNAs that could serve as biomarkers for endothelial dysfunction in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- 70 children (5-10 years) were divided into normal endothelial function (NEF) and endothelial dysfunction groups based on Tmax.
- Plasma miRNAs were analyzed using a human CVD array and quantitative PCR.
- Bioinformatics approaches were used for target prediction and gene ontology analysis.
Main Results:
- Three miRNAs (hsa-miR-125a-5p, hsa-miR-342-3p, hsa-miR-365b-3p) were identified as potential biomarkers for endothelial dysfunction.
- These miRNAs target 31 common genes involved in TGF-β signaling, cytokine-receptor interactions, and cardiac myocyte pathways.
Conclusions:
- Plasma miRNAs show promise as screening tools for endothelial dysfunction in children.
- Identified miRNAs and their targets may offer insights into endothelial dysfunction mechanisms.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a complex disease with multifactorial etiology. The presence of endothelial dysfunction constitutes an early risk factor for CVD in children. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression and represent a novel class of biomarkers and therapeutic targets; therefore, we examined whether the presence of endothelial dysfunction is associated with differential expression of plasma miRNAs in otherwise healthy children.
Methods:
A total of 70 children (aged 5-10 years) were recruited and classified into two groups (normal endothelial function [NEF] and endothelial dysfunction). Time to peak postocclusive reperfusion (Tmax) was considered as the indicator of either normal endothelial function (NEF; Tmax < 45 s) or endothelial dysfunction (Tmax ≥ 45 s). Lipid profiles, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fasting glucose, and insulin were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. miRNAs isolated from plasma were assayed with a custom human CVD array, followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction verification of candidates. In addition, bioinformatics approaches including combinatorial target prediction algorithms and gene ontology were applied.
Results:
Three miRNAs that have been previously linked to cardiomyopathy, hsa-miR-125a-5p, hsa-miR-342-3p, and hsa-miR-365b-3p, were identified as potential biomarkers of children with endothelial dysfunction. The miRNA predicted gene targets revealed 31 common targets among all three putative candidate biomarker miRNAs and encompass three biologic pathways, including transforming growth factor-β signaling, cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, and activin receptor-like kinase in cardiac myocytes.
Conclusions:
Plasma miRNAs may be useful as potential screening tools for the presence of endothelial dysfunction in children and may reveal endothelial dysfunction-relevant target genes.
