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Published on: September 20, 2018
Faecal Micro-RNAs in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Julien Verdier1,2, Irene Raphaela Breunig1, Margarete Clara Ohse1
1Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
Background And Aims:
Faecal biomarkers are used as indicators of disease activity in inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD], which include Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]. Micro-RNAs [miRNAs] are small non-coding RNAs detectable in extracellular fluids and can be used as clinical biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine if faecal miRNA composition is altered in IBD.
Methods:
More than 800 different human faecal miRNAs were measured in stool samples from control individuals and patients with active CD by using NanoString technology. Selected miRNAs were quantified by qRT-PCR in faeces, serum and intestinal tissue of controls [n = 23] and patients with inactive or active CD [n = 22, n = 22] or UC [n = 11, n = 24] as well as patients with Clostridium difficile infection [CDI, n = 8].
Results:
In total, 150 miRNAs were significantly detected in faeces from controls and patients, and multivariate analyses showed that CD patients with high disease activities had a distinct miRNA profile and that miR-223 and miR-1246 were distinct from other faecal miRNAs. In a larger cohort, active UC patients displayed significantly higher levels of miR-223 and miR-1246 than controls while patients with CDI had higher levels of faecal miR-1246 but not miR-223. No differences were noted in serum samples.
Conclusions:
To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive screen of faecal miRNAs performed in IBD. Further investigation will aim to confirm these findings in a larger cohort and to understand the biological function and cellular sources of faecal miRNAs.
Insights
Faecal microRNAs (miRNAs) show distinct patterns in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Specific miRNAs, miR-223 and miR-1246, are elevated in active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, differentiating them from other conditions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), utilize faecal biomarkers to assess disease activity.
- Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs found in extracellular fluids, offering potential as clinical biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in faecal miRNA composition in patients with IBD.
- To identify specific miRNAs associated with IBD activity and differentiate them from other gastrointestinal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of over 800 human faecal miRNAs using NanoString technology in stool samples from controls and active CD patients.
- Validation of selected miRNAs (miR-223, miR-1246) via qRT-PCR in faeces, serum, and intestinal tissue across control, CD, UC, and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) cohorts.
Main Results:
- 150 miRNAs were significantly detected in faeces; multivariate analysis revealed distinct miRNA profiles in active CD patients.
- Elevated levels of miR-223 and miR-1246 were observed in active UC patients compared to controls.
- Faecal miR-1246, but not miR-223, was higher in patients with CDI; no significant differences were found in serum samples.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first comprehensive screen of faecal miRNAs in IBD.
- Findings suggest miR-223 and miR-1246 are potential biomarkers for IBD activity.
- Further research is needed to validate these findings and elucidate the biological roles of faecal miRNAs in IBD.
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