Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Absolute Quantification of Plasma MicroRNA Levels in Cynomolgus Monkeys, Using Quantitative Real-time Reverse Transcription PCR
Published on: February 12, 2018
MicroRNA Biomarkers of Toxicity in Biological Matrices
Alison H Harrill1, Shaun D McCullough2, Charles E Wood2
1*Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205; chorley.brian@epa.gov.
Abstract:
Biomarker measurements that reliably correlate with tissue injury and that can be measured within accessible biofluids offer benefits in terms of cost, time, and convenience when assessing chemical and drug-induced toxicity in model systems or human cohorts. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged in recent years as a promising new class of biomarker for monitoring toxicity. Recent enthusiasm for miRNA biomarker research has been fueled by evidence that certain miRNAs are cell-type specific and are released during injury, thus raising the possibility of using biofluid-based miRNAs as a "liquid biopsy" that may be obtained by sampling extracellular fluids. As biomarkers, miRNAs demonstrate improved stability as compared with many protein markers and sequences are largely conserved across species, simplifying analytical techniques. Recent efforts have sought to identify miRNAs that are released into accessible biofluids following xenobiotic exposure, using compounds that target specific organs. Whereas still early in the discovery phase, miRNA biomarkers will have an increasingly important role in the assessment of adverse effects of both environmental chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs. Here, we review the current findings of biofluid-based miRNAs, as well as highlight technical challenges in assessing toxicologic pathology using these biomarkers.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as stable, accessible biomarkers for detecting toxicity from environmental chemicals and drugs. These "liquid biopsies" offer a convenient method for monitoring tissue injury and adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomarker Discovery
- Toxicology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Accessible biofluid biomarkers offer cost-effective, convenient toxicity assessment.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as promising biomarkers due to their stability and cell-type specificity.
- miRNAs released during tissue injury can serve as a "liquid biopsy" for monitoring toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current findings on biofluid-based miRNA biomarkers for toxicity assessment.
- To highlight the potential of miRNAs in monitoring adverse effects of xenobiotics.
- To discuss technical challenges in utilizing miRNA biomarkers in toxicologic pathology.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on miRNA biomarker research in toxicology.
- Analysis of studies identifying miRNAs released into biofluids following chemical exposure.
- Examination of species conservation and stability of miRNAs as biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Certain miRNAs are released into biofluids upon specific organ injury induced by xenobiotics.
- miRNAs exhibit greater stability compared to many protein biomarkers.
- Species conservation of miRNA sequences simplifies analytical approaches.
Conclusions:
- Biofluid-based miRNAs represent a significant advancement in toxicity assessment.
- miRNA biomarkers are poised to play a crucial role in evaluating adverse effects of environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
- Further research is needed to overcome technical challenges and fully realize the potential of miRNA biomarkers in toxicology.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs
02:34DNA Microarrays