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Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Author Spotlight: Engineering Molecular Tools for Disease Detection and Imaging
Published on: December 8, 2023
Urine miRNAs as potential biomarkers for systemic reactions induced by exposure to embedded metal
Ivan J Vechetti1, Yuan Wen2,3, Jessica F Hoffman4
1Department of Nutrition & Health Sciences, College of Education & Human Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA.
Abstract:
Aim: Explore the potential of urine microRNAs as biomarkers that may reflect the biological responses to pure metals embedded in skeletal muscle over time. Materials & methods: We tested a panel of military-relevant metals embedded in the gastrocnemius muscles of 3-month-old, male, Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8/group) for a duration of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, and performed small RNA-sequencing on the urine samples. Results: Results provide potential tissue targets affected by metal exposure and a list of unique or common urine microRNA biomarkers indicative of exposure to various metals, highlighting a complex systemic response. Conclusion: We have identified a panel of miRNAs as potential urine biomarkers to reflect the complex systemic response to embedded metal exposure.
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