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miRNAs in platelet-poor blood plasma and purified RNA are highly stable: a confirmatory study

Dillon C Muth1, Bonita H Powell1, Zezhou Zhao1

  • 1Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Miller Research Building Rm 829, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.

BMC Research Notes
|May 6, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) demonstrate remarkable stability, even when released extracellularly. This study confirms their resilience, suggesting sample handling issues, like platelet contamination, may affect measurements, not inherent miRNA instability.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial non-coding RNA molecules involved in gene regulation.
  • Previous studies have suggested miRNAs are relatively stable compared to other RNA species.
  • Extracellular miRNAs can be found in circulation, protected within complexes or vesicles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the stability of microRNAs (miRNAs) in biological samples.
  • To compare miRNA stability against other RNA molecules.
  • To identify factors that might influence observed miRNA stability in experimental settings.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on miRNA stability.
  • Analysis of data concerning miRNA detectability under various storage conditions.
  • Investigation of the role of extracellular vesicles and Argonaute protein binding in miRNA protection.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exhibit significant stability, even when extracellular.
  • Purified miRNAs are less susceptible to degradation than other RNA types.
  • Inadequate platelet depletion in plasma samples may account for reported instability after freeze-thaw cycles.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNA (miRNA) stability is a well-validated characteristic.
  • Standard laboratory procedures for sample handling are generally adequate for preserving miRNA integrity.
  • Further research should focus on optimizing sample preparation to mitigate potential confounding factors affecting miRNA measurements.
Keywords:
Blood processingFreeze/thawPlasmaRNA isolationStabilitymicroRNAqPCR

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