Differential expression of microRNA miR-150-5p in IgA nephropathy as a potential mediator and marker of disease progression
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Updated: Nov 22, 2025
Detection of MicroRNA Expression in the Kidneys of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathic Mice
Published on: July 8, 2020
Izabella Z A Pawluczyk1, Athanasios Didangelos1, Sean J Barbour2
1The Mayer IgA Nephropathy Laboratories, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
Abstract:
Understanding why certain patients with IgA nephropathy progress to kidney failure while others maintain normal kidney function remains a major unanswered question. To help answer this, we performed miRNome profiling by next generation sequencing of kidney biopsies in order to identify microRNAs specifically associated with the risk of IgA nephropathy progression. Following sequencing and validation in independent cohorts, four microRNAs (-150-5p, -155-5p, -146b-5p, -135a-5p) were found to be differentially expressed in IgA nephropathy progressors compared to non-progressors, and patients with thin membrane nephropathy, lupus nephritis and membranous nephropathy, and correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, and the Oxford MEST-C scores (five histological features that are independent predictors of clinical outcome). Each individual microRNA increased the discrimination score of the International IgAN Prediction Tool, although due to the small number of samples the results did not reach statistical significance. miR-150-5p exhibited the largest amplitude of expression between cohorts and displayed the best discrimination between IgA nephropathy progressors and non-progressors by receiver operating curve analysis (AUC: 0.8). However, expression was similarly upregulated in kidneys with established fibrosis and low estimated glomerular filtration rates at the time of biopsy. Consistent with a more generic role in kidney fibrosis, in situ hybridization revealed that miR-150-5p was found in lymphoid infiltrates, and areas of proliferation and fibrosis consistent with the known drivers of progression. Thus, miR-150-5p may be a potential functional mediator of kidney fibrosis that may add value in predicting risk of progression in IgA nephropathy and other kidney diseases.
Insights
Researchers identified four microRNAs linked to IgA nephropathy progression. miR-150-5p shows potential as a biomarker for predicting kidney fibrosis and disease advancement.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- IgA nephropathy (IgAN) progression to kidney failure varies significantly among patients.
- Identifying biomarkers for IgAN progression risk is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with IgAN progression using miRNome profiling.
- To evaluate the potential of specific miRNAs as predictive markers for IgAN progression.
Main Methods:
- Next-generation sequencing of kidney biopsies for miRNome profiling.
- Validation of differentially expressed miRNAs in independent patient cohorts.
- Correlation analysis with clinical parameters (eGFR, proteinuria) and histological scores (Oxford MEST-C).
Main Results:
- Four miRNAs (miR-150-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-146b-5p, miR-135a-5p) were differentially expressed in IgAN progressors.
- miR-150-5p showed the highest expression amplitude and best discrimination (AUC: 0.8) between progressors and non-progressors.
- miR-150-5p upregulation correlated with kidney fibrosis and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
Conclusions:
- Specific miRNAs, particularly miR-150-5p, are associated with IgA nephropathy progression.
- miR-150-5p may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting kidney fibrosis and IgAN progression risk.
- Further research is warranted to explore miR-150-5p's functional role and clinical utility in IgAN and other kidney diseases.
