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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
MiR-122-5p and miR-326-3p: Potential novel biomarkers for early detection of cadmium exposure
Wenya Yuan1, Lili Liu2, Lixia Liang1
1Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Abstract:
Cadmium is a common environmental and occupational pollutant and can produce toxic effects in a range of organs, especially in kidneys, after long-term exposure. MicroRNAs are ideal candidate biomarkers for various types of disorders, including renal diseases. In this study, we profiled the global miRNA expressions in rat kidneys using miRNA microarrays and found a collection of differentially expressed miRNAs induced by cadmium exposure. Among all of the candidate miRNAs, we identified miR-122-5p and miR-326-3p as early biomarkers for cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity. The two-miRNA signature was validated by quantitative real-time PCR in HK-2 and NRK-52E cells, rat kidney, serum and urine samples, and serum of an occupational population. Our results indicate that miR-122-5p and miR-326-3p may be potential biomarkers for cadmium exposure.
