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Analysis of Circulating miRNA Expression Profiles in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Diabetic Foot Complications

Giovanny Fuentevilla-Alvarez1, María Elena Soto2,3, Gustavo Jaziel Robles-Herrera4

  • 1Endocrinology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano No. 1. Col. Sección XVI, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 13, 2024
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRs) like miR-17, miR-191, and miR-121 are elevated in diabetic foot patients, correlating with higher glucose levels. These miRs show potential as biomarkers for diabetic complications.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complications, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pose significant health risks, including infection and amputation.
  • Current treatments for diabetic foot ulcers have limited efficacy, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
  • MicroRNAs (miRs) are key regulators of gene expression and are increasingly recognized for their role in wound healing and diabetes pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the differential expression of specific microRNAs (miRs) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).
  • To explore the correlation between elevated miR levels and glycemic control in T2DM patients with DFUs.
  • To assess the diagnostic potential of identified miRs as biomarkers for diabetic foot complications.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma samples were collected from 41 Mexican patients with T2DM and DFUs and 50 healthy controls.
  • Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to analyze the expression levels of selected miRs.
  • Statistical analyses, including correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, were performed to evaluate the findings.

Main Results:

  • DFU patients exhibited significantly higher plasma levels of miR-17-5p, miR-191-5p, let-7e-5p, and miR-33a-5p compared to controls (p < 0.005 for all).
  • Elevated levels of miR-17, miR-191, and miR-121 were positively correlated with higher blood glucose levels in DFU patients (r = 0.30 to 0.21, p ≤ 0.05).
  • miR-17 demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for diabetic foot ulcers, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.903 (p = 0.0001).

Conclusions:

  • Specific microRNAs, including miR-17, miR-191, and miR-121, are significantly upregulated in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.
  • These upregulated miRs are strongly associated with poor glycemic control, suggesting a role in the development of T2DM complications.
  • The identified miRs, particularly miR-17, hold promise as potential diagnostic biomarkers for early detection and management of diabetic foot complications.
Keywords:
diabetic footmicroRNAtype 2 diabetes mellitus

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