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Cerebrospinal Fluid MicroRNA Profiling Using Quantitative Real Time PCR
Published on: January 22, 2014
Detection of a Parkinson's Disease-Specific MicroRNA Signature in Nasal and Oral Swabs
Patricia Schließer1, Felix L Struebing2,3, Bernd H Northoff4
1Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Background:
Biomaterials from oral and nasal swabs provide, in theory, a potential resource for biomarker development. However, their diagnostic value has not yet been investigated in the context of Parkinson's disease (PD) and associated conditions.
Objective:
We have previously identified a PD-specific microRNA (miRNA) signature in gut biopsies. In this work, we aimed to investigate the expression of miRNAs in routine buccal (oral) and nasal swabs obtained from cases with idiopathic PD and isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), a prodromal symptom that often precedes α-synucleinopathies. We aimed to address their value as a diagnostic biomarker for PD and their mechanistic contribution to PD onset and progression.
Methods:
Healthy control cases (n = 28), cases with PD (n = 29), and cases with iRBD (n = 8) were prospectively recruited to undergo routine buccal and nasal swabs. Total RNA was extracted from the swab material, and the expression of a predefined set of miRNAs was quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Results:
Statistical analysis revealed a significantly increased expression of hsa-miR-1260a in cases who had PD. Interestingly, hsa-miR-1260a expression levels correlated with diseases severity, as well as olfactory function, in the PD and iRBD cohorts. Mechanistically, hsa-miR-1260a segregated to Golgi-associated cellular processes with a potential role in mucosal plasma cells. Predicted hsa-miR-1260a target gene expression was reduced in iRBD and PD groups.
Conclusions:
Our work demonstrates oral and nasal swabs as a valuable biomarker pool in PD and associated neurodegenerative conditions. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Insights
Oral and nasal swabs reveal hsa-miR-1260a as a potential Parkinson
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomarker Discovery
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Oral and nasal swabs offer theoretical potential for biomarker development.
- Diagnostic value of these swabs for Parkinson's disease (PD) and related conditions remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate microRNA (miRNA) expression in buccal and nasal swabs from PD and isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) patients.
- Assess the diagnostic value of these miRNAs for PD and their mechanistic role in disease onset and progression.
Main Methods:
- Prospective recruitment of healthy controls (n=28), PD cases (n=29), and iRBD cases (n=8).
- Collection of routine buccal and nasal swabs for total RNA extraction.
- Quantification of a predefined miRNA set using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Main Results:
- Significantly increased expression of hsa-miR-1260a observed in PD patients.
- hsa-miR-1260a levels correlated with disease severity and olfactory function in PD and iRBD cohorts.
- Mechanistic analysis indicated hsa-miR-1260a's role in Golgi-associated processes and reduced predicted target gene expression in iRBD/PD groups.
Conclusions:
- Oral and nasal swabs represent a valuable source for identifying biomarkers in Parkinson's disease and associated neurodegenerative disorders.
- hsa-miR-1260a emerges as a promising candidate biomarker for PD and its prodromal stages.
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