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Circulating plasma microRNAs as biomarkers for iron status in blood donors
M G Gunnarsdottir1, T Jonsson2,3, A M Halldorsdottir2,3
1Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Objectives:
To investigate whether microRNAs can serve as biomarkers for iron status in blood donors.
Background:
Serum ferritin is a widely used biochemical test for detecting iron deficiency, but it has its limitations. Certain microRNAs (miRNAs) reportedly have a role in regulating iron homeostasis. Circulating miRNAs have been reported as potential biomarkers for various conditions but have not yet been studied in iron deficiency.
Methods:
Participating blood donors were divided into two groups: high ferritin (HF) (>150 µg L-1 ) and low ferritin (LF) (<15 µg L-1 ). MiRNA analysis was performed by an miRNA profiling service (Exiqon) using commercial qPCR assays. The study had two phases: (i) a pilot study (20 participants) where 179 miRNAs were analysed and (ii) a confirmation study (50 participants) of 13 selected miRNAs.
Results:
Mean serum ferritin was 13·8 µg L-1 in the LF arm compared to 231 µg L-1 in the HF group (P < 0·001). Hepcidin plasma levels were higher in the HF arm (P < 0·001), whereas soluble transferrin receptor 1 was higher in the LF group (P < 0·001). In the pilot study, samples did not separate according to study group on unsupervised analysis. When directly comparing HF vs LF groups, 17 miRNAs were differentially expressed (P < 0·05, t-test) but did not pass correction for multiple testing. The confirmation study of 13 selected miRNAs verified these findings as no miRNA was significantly different between the study groups.
Conclusion:
In this study, circulating plasma miRNAs did not emerge as promising biomarkers for iron status in healthy individuals. However, in the future, alternative detection methods such as next-generation sequencing might indicate miRNAs that correlate with iron stores.
Insights
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) were investigated as biomarkers for iron status in blood donors. Results indicate that plasma miRNAs are not reliable indicators of iron levels in healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Hematology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Serum ferritin is a common but limited marker for iron deficiency.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in iron homeostasis.
- Circulating miRNAs' potential as iron status biomarkers remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can serve as effective biomarkers for assessing iron status in blood donors.
- To evaluate the utility of specific miRNAs in reflecting iron levels, complementing traditional markers.
Main Methods:
- Blood donors were categorized into high ferritin (HF) and low ferritin (LF) groups.
- MicroRNA (miRNA) profiling was conducted using qPCR assays in a two-phase study (pilot and confirmation).
- 179 miRNAs were analyzed in the pilot phase, followed by 13 selected miRNAs in the confirmation phase.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor 1 levels were observed between HF and LF groups.
- Initial miRNA analysis showed differential expression but did not pass multiple testing correction.
- The confirmation study found no significant differences in the selected miRNAs between the study groups.
Conclusions:
- Circulating plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) did not prove to be reliable biomarkers for iron status in healthy individuals.
- Future research using advanced methods like next-generation sequencing may identify miRNAs that correlate with iron stores.
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