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Difference in microRNA levels in the post-mortem blood from different sampling sites: A proof of concept
So-Young Kim1, Seon Jung Jang2, Yong-Han Jung2
1Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20 Geumo-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs have various characteristics, including stability, and tissue and disease specificity. One of the important issues in forensics is that biomarkers can differ quantitatively depending on the sampling site. We aimed at evaluating the differences in microRNA levels in the post-mortem (PM) blood from different sampling sites. The study subjects comprised seventeen males and eleven females. The number of cardiac deaths (CD) and non-cardiac deaths (NCD) was eleven and seventeen, respectively. A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed in fifteen cases. Venous blood was obtained from the external iliac vein for peripheral blood (PB), inferior vena cava for pre-cardiac blood (CB), and coronary sinus for post-cardiac blood (coronary sinus blood, CSB). The selected target microRNAs were cardiac-specific (miR208 and miR-1) and non-cardiac microRNAs (miR-16 and let-7e). The levels of miR-208b and miR-1 in the PM blood differed according to its sampling site and showed an increasing order of tendency in the PB, CB, and CSB. However, these variations according to sampling sites did not correlate with the post-mortem interval and the levels did not differ between the CD and NCD groups, and between the CPR and non-CPR groups. MiR-16 and let-7e levels did not vary according to the sampling site. The present study confirms that the cardiac-specific microRNA levels in the PM blood from different sampling sites are different. In addition, this study showed that the characteristics of target microRNAs, such as tissue-specificity, should be considered and the sampling site for microRNAs should be presented in forensic applications.
Insights
Post-mortem blood sampling site significantly impacts cardiac-specific microRNA levels, with variations observed in miR-208b and miR-1. Forensic analysis requires careful consideration of sampling location for accurate microRNA biomarker interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- MicroRNAs are stable, tissue-specific biomarkers with potential forensic applications.
- Quantitative differences in biomarkers based on sampling site pose challenges in forensic investigations.
- Understanding microRNA variability in post-mortem blood is crucial for reliable forensic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate microRNA level differences in post-mortem blood from various sampling sites.
- To investigate the impact of sampling location on cardiac-specific and non-cardiac microRNAs.
- To determine if sampling site variations correlate with post-mortem factors or death circumstances.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of microRNA levels (miR-208b, miR-1, miR-16, let-7e) in post-mortem blood.
- Blood samples collected from peripheral blood, inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus.
- Comparison of microRNA levels across different sampling sites, post-mortem intervals, and death types (cardiac vs. non-cardiac, CPR vs. non-CPR).
Main Results:
- Cardiac-specific microRNAs (miR-208b, miR-1) showed significant quantitative differences based on sampling site (peripheral blood < pre-cardiac blood < coronary sinus blood).
- Variations in cardiac-specific microRNA levels did not correlate with post-mortem interval, cardiac vs. non-cardiac death, or CPR status.
- Non-cardiac microRNAs (miR-16, let-7e) did not exhibit significant differences across sampling sites.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms that cardiac-specific microRNA levels in post-mortem blood vary depending on the sampling site.
- Tissue-specificity of microRNAs is a critical factor influencing their distribution in post-mortem blood.
- Forensic applications utilizing microRNAs must document the specific sampling site for accurate interpretation of results.
