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Updated: Jul 17, 2025
Isolation and Profiling of MicroRNA-containing Exosomes from Human Bile
Published on: June 13, 2016
Differential Expression Profiles of Plasma Exosomal microRNAs in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Xiaoke Yang1, Zhixin Wang1, Mingming Zhang1
1Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
Aim:
Differential expression maps of microRNAs (miRNAs) are connected to the autoimmune diseases. This study sought to elucidate the expression maps of exosomal miRNA in plasma of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and their potential clinical significance.
Methods:
In the screening phase, small RNA sequencing was performed to characterize dysregulated exosome-derived miRNAs in the plasma samples from six patients with RA and six healthy patients. At the independent verification stage, the candidate plasma exosomal miRNAs were verified in 40 patients with RA and 32 healthy patients by using qRT-PCR. The correlation of miRNA levels and clinical characteristics was tested in patients with RA. The value of these miRNAs in diagnosing RA was assessed with the receiver operating characteristic curve.
Results:
During the screening phase, 177 and 129 miRNAs were increased and decreased in RA patients and healthy controls, respectively. There were 10 candidate plasma exosomal miRNAs selected for the next identification. Compared with the healthy controls, eight plasma exosomal miRNAs (let-7a-5p, let-7b-5p, let-7d-5p, let-7f-5p, let-7g-5p, let-7i-5p, miR-128-3p, and miR-25-3p) were significantly elevated in RA patients, but miR-144-3p and miR-15a-5p expression exhibited no significant changes. The let-7a-5p and miR-25-3p levels were linked to the rheumatoid factor-positive phenotype in RA patients. For the eight miRNAs, the area under the subject work characteristic curve (AUC) is 0.641 to 0.843, and their combination had a high diagnostic accuracy for RA (AUC = 0.916).
Conclusion:
Our study illustrates that novel exosomal miRNAs in the plasma may represent potential noninvasive biomarkers for RA.
Insights
Exosomal microRNAs in plasma show altered expression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Eight specific microRNAs were elevated in RA patients, offering potential as noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosing RA.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are linked to differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs).
- Exosomal miRNAs in plasma are increasingly recognized for their potential as disease biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of exosomal miRNAs in the plasma of RA patients.
- To determine the clinical significance and diagnostic potential of these exosomal miRNAs in RA.
Main Methods:
- Small RNA sequencing was used to screen for dysregulated exosomal miRNAs in RA patients versus healthy controls.
- Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed for verification in a larger cohort.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis assessed diagnostic accuracy.
Main Results:
- 177 miRNAs were upregulated and 129 downregulated in RA patients during screening.
- Eight plasma exosomal miRNAs (let-7a-5p, let-7b-5p, let-7d-5p, let-7f-5p, let-7g-5p, let-7i-5p, miR-128-3p, miR-25-3p) were significantly elevated in RA patients.
- A combination of these eight miRNAs demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for RA with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.916.
Conclusions:
- Plasma exosomal miRNAs exhibit distinct expression profiles in rheumatoid arthritis.
- Specific exosomal miRNAs, such as let-7 family members and miR-25-3p, are promising noninvasive biomarkers for RA diagnosis.
- Further research into these exosomal miRNAs could lead to improved diagnostic strategies for RA.
