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Detection of MicroRNA Expression in the Kidneys of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathic Mice
Published on: July 8, 2020
Differential expression profile of urinary exosomal microRNAs in patients with mesangial proliferative
Rong Dai1, Lei Zhang2, Hua Jin2
1Department of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230038, China.
Objective:
To investigate the differential expression profile of urinary exosomal microRNA (miRNA) in patients with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) and healthy controls and their potential role in the pathogenesis of MsPGN.
Methods:
Urine specimens were collected from five MsPGN patients and five healthy controls, and differentially expressed miRNAs were screened using high-throughput sequencing technology. The sequenced urinary exosomal miRNAs were further investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in a validation cohort (16 MsPGN patients and 16 healthy controls). Correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to determine the association between clinical features and miRNA expression in MsPGN. Finally, fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to detect miRNA expression in the renal tissues of MsPGN patients.
Results:
Five differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-125b-2-3p, miR-205-5p, let-7b-3p, miR-1262, and miR-548o-3p) were identified by qRT-PCR. The expression of these miRNAs correlated with ACR, 24hUpro, mAlb, UA, and combined yielded a ROC curve area of 0.916 in discriminating MsPGN patients from the controls. In addition, the expression of miR-205-5p, let-7b-3p, miR-1262, and miR-548o-3p was elevated in the MsPGN patient group, and miR-125b-2-3p was decreased in the MsPGN patient group.
Conclusions:
Differential expression of urinary exosomal miRNAs may pose a risk of MsPGN and help distinguish MsPGN patients from controls. Certain miRNA expressions may be associated with disease progression, contributing to the epigenetic understanding of the pathophysiology of MsPGN.
Insights
Urinary exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) show differential expression in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN), aiding in diagnosis and understanding disease progression. These findings contribute to the epigenetic basis of MsPGN pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) is a kidney disease with complex pathogenesis.
- Urinary exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging biomarkers for kidney diseases.
- Understanding miRNA dysregulation in MsPGN is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differentially expressed urinary exosomal miRNAs in MsPGN patients compared to healthy controls.
- To explore the potential role of these miRNAs in MsPGN pathogenesis.
- To assess the diagnostic value of specific miRNAs for MsPGN.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput sequencing of urinary exosomal miRNAs from MsPGN patients and controls.
- Validation of differentially expressed miRNAs using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
- Correlation analysis with clinical parameters and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
Main Results:
- Five miRNAs (miR-125b-2-3p, miR-205-5p, let-7b-3p, miR-1262, miR-548o-3p) were differentially expressed.
- A panel of miRNAs achieved a ROC curve area of 0.916 for MsPGN discrimination.
- Specific miRNA expression levels correlated with clinical indicators like ACR and 24hUpro.
Conclusions:
- Differential expression of urinary exosomal miRNAs can serve as a biomarker for MsPGN.
- These miRNAs may be involved in the pathophysiology of MsPGN.
- Further research into miRNA's epigenetic role can advance MsPGN understanding.

