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Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Isolation and Profiling of MicroRNA-containing Exosomes from Human Bile
Published on: June 13, 2016
Characterization of exosomal microRNAs in preterm infants fed with breast milk and infant formula
Eun-Bit Kim1, Jun Hwan Song2, Linh Nguy-Hoang Le3
1Soonchunhyang Institute of Med-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Breast milk benefits preterm infant growth and reduces infections. Exosome analysis in preterm infants reveals specific microRNAs linked to development and immunity, offering potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Research
- Biomarker Discovery
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Breast milk (BM) offers significant advantages for preterm infant growth and reduced infection-related morbidity.
- Bovine-based infant formula (IF) is an alternative but may increase preterm infant complication risks.
- Exosomes in biofluids are emerging as critical biomarkers for disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize miRNA content in exosomes from urine and serum of preterm infants.
- To compare miRNA profiles between breast milk (BM) fed and infant formula (IF) fed preterm infants.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for preterm infant complications.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of exosomes from urine and serum samples of preterm infants.
- Transcriptomic analysis of small RNA libraries to characterize miRNA content.
- Gene Ontology (GO) analysis to predict functions of miRNA target genes.
Main Results:
- Identified 6 significantly up-regulated miRNAs in urine exosomes.
- Identified 10 significantly up-regulated miRNAs in serum exosomes.
- GO analysis indicated miRNA targets are involved in neuronal development, immunity, detoxification, and transmembrane exchange.
Conclusions:
- Exosome-based systemic screening can identify molecules relevant to preterm infant health.
- These findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) interventions.
- Exosomal miRNAs may have future applications in nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals for preterm infants.
Abstract:
Breastfeeding not only reduces infection-related morbidity, but also increases growth of preterm infants. Advantages of breast milk (BM) for preterm infants are significant. They continue to be studied. However, because not all preterm infants can receive breastfeeding, bovine-based infant formula (IF) is used as an alternative, which may increase the risk of several preterm complications. Exosomes isolated from biofluids are emerging as biomarkers in research of various diseases. Here, we characterized miRNA contents of exosomes in urine and serum samples of preterm infants who were BM and IF fed and performed transcriptomic analysis of small RNA libraries. We identified significantly up-regulated 6 miRNAs and 10 miRNAs, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that target genes of these miRNAs might participate in neuronal development, immunity modulation, detoxification of reactive oxygen species, and transmembrane exchange. Our data suggest that exosome-based systemic screening for preterm infants with breastfeeding might be a screening tool for identifying target molecules involved in therapy for preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and for future application as nutraceutical formulations or pharmaceuticals.
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