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Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Diagnostic value of circulating microRNA-27a/b in patients with acute pulmonary embolism
Qian Wang1, Junfen Ma1, Zhiyun Jiang1
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Background:
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been increasingly suggested as biomarkers for numerous diseases. The aims of this study were to evaluate the expression of plasma miR-27a/b in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and determine the possibility of miR-27a/b as diagnostic biomarkers for APE.
Methods:
Seventy-eight APE patients diagnosed by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and 70 age and gender matched normal volunteers were included in this study. The levels of miR-27a and miR-27b were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and the concentrations of plasma D-dimer were measured using immunoturbidimetric assay.
Results:
The levels of plasma miR-27a and miR-27b were significantly higher in APE patients (P<0.001) compared with normal controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses showed that plasma miR-27a was superior to miR-27b for the diagnosis of APE (AUC=0.784, AUC=0.707, respectively). Combining miR-27a or miR-27b with D-dimer significantly increased the diagnostic capacity of APE.
Conclusions:
Our results showed that circulating miR-27a and miR-27b might be potential novel diagnostic biomarkers in APE patients.
Insights
Plasma miR-27a and miR-27b levels are elevated in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) patients, suggesting their potential as novel diagnostic biomarkers for APE.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as disease biomarkers.
- Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) diagnosis requires reliable biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate plasma miR-27a/b expression in APE patients.
- Determine the diagnostic utility of miR-27a/b for APE.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for miR-27a/b.
- Immunoturbidimetric assay for plasma D-dimer.
- Included 78 APE patients and 70 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Plasma miR-27a and miR-27b levels were significantly higher in APE patients (P<0.001).
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated miR-27a (AUC=0.784) superior to miR-27b (AUC=0.707) for APE diagnosis.
- Combining miR-27a/b with D-dimer enhanced diagnostic accuracy for APE.
Conclusions:
- Circulating miR-27a and miR-27b show potential as novel diagnostic biomarkers for APE.
- These miRNAs could improve early detection and management of acute pulmonary embolism.
