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[Expression of microRNA-29b in mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]
Yi Yang1, Bin Cai1, Dong-sheng Fan1
1Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
Objective:
To investigate microRNA-29b (miR-29b) expression in cerebral cortex, spinal cord, fore limb muscle, and serum of SOD1-G93A amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mice, and to identify the biomarker and to assess diagnostic values for ALS.
Methods:
Cerebral cortex, spinal cord, fore limb muscle and serum from 16 SOD1-G93A ALS mice and 16 wild-type mice were taken and then microRNA extracted, detecting the expression of miR-29b by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The diagnostic performance of miR-29b for ALS was estimated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results:
The results from the validation indicated that the differences in miR-29b between the cerebral cortex of SOD1-G93A ALS and the healthy control subjects were statistically significant (P=0.001). Meanwhile, the expressions 8, 12, and 16 weeks later were higher than those of the controls (ALS vs.
Control:
8 weeks, P=0.044; 12 weeks, P=0.018; 16 weeks, P=0.045). When the relative expression level of miR-29b was used to diagnose ALS in SOD1-G93A ALS mice, the area under the ROC (area under the curve, AUC) was 0.885, if the diagnostic threshold was set at 0.185 6, the sensitivity and specificity were 92.9% and 71.4%.
Conclusion:
miR-29b may act as medical monitoring indices of ALS in early time.
Insights
MicroRNA-29b (miR-29b) is elevated in the cerebral cortex of SOD1-G93A mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This finding suggests miR-29b could serve as an early diagnostic biomarker for ALS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers for early ALS diagnosis is crucial for effective management.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with regulatory roles implicated in various diseases, including neurodegeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of microRNA-29b (miR-29b) in the cerebral cortex, spinal cord, fore limb muscle, and serum of SOD1-G93A mice, a model for ALS.
- To determine if miR-29b can serve as a diagnostic biomarker for ALS.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of miR-29b for ALS.
Main Methods:
- Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure miR-29b expression in tissues and serum from SOD1-G93A ALS mice and wild-type controls.
- Statistical significance of miR-29b expression differences was analyzed.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of miR-29b.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increase in miR-29b expression was observed in the cerebral cortex of SOD1-G93A ALS mice compared to healthy controls (P=0.001).
- miR-29b levels were significantly higher in ALS mice at 8, 12, and 16 weeks compared to controls (P=0.044, P=0.018, P=0.045, respectively).
- Using miR-29b for ALS diagnosis in mice yielded an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.885, with a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 71.4% at a threshold of 0.185.
Conclusions:
- miR-29b expression is significantly altered in the cerebral cortex of ALS model mice.
- miR-29b demonstrates potential as a sensitive biomarker for early detection of ALS.
- Further research is warranted to explore miR-29b's role and diagnostic utility in human ALS cases.
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