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Published on: May 27, 2016
Exosomal miR-182-5p is a potential diagnostic marker for malignant pleural effusion
Wen Zhao1,2,3, Jian-Xun Wen3,4, Yan Niu3,4
1Center for Clinical Epidemiology Research, the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.
Background:
Biomarkers in pleural fluid are the potential auxiliary diagnostic markers for malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) represent novel diagnostic markers for various diseases. The diagnostic performance of exosomal miRNAs for MPE remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the exosomal miRNAs profiles of both MPE and benign pleural effusion (BPE), aiming to study diagnostic performance of exosomal miRNAs for MPE.
Methods:
We used next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to analyze the pleural fluid exosomal miRNA profile in five MPE and 15 BPE cases. We analyzed the differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with cel-miR-39 or snRNA U6 as internal references. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of exosomal miRNA for MPE with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We also analyzed whether exosomal miRNA could improve the diagnostic performance of pleural carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).
Results:
Fifty-eight miRNAs were up-regulated, and 35 miRNAs were down-regulated in MPE. We selected exosomal miR-182-5p for further study and analyzed miR-182-5p in 153 patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion. Exosomal miR-182-5p was undetectable in 32 participants. In the remaining participants with 49 MPE and 72 BPE cases, we found that the areas under the curve (AUCs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for exosomal miR-182-5p were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69-0.86) when using cel-miR-39 as an internal reference, and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.88) when using snRNA U6. The combination of exosomal miR-182-5p and CEA can slightly improve the diagnostic accuracy of MPE, with an AUC of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.85-0.97).
Conclusions:
Pleural miR-182-5p can assist in the diagnosis of MPE. Its diagnostic performance is slightly affected by internal reference.
Insights
Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as biomarkers for diagnosing malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Exosomal miR-182-5p can aid in MPE diagnosis, with performance slightly influenced by the internal reference used.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) diagnosis can be challenging.
- Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as potential biomarkers for various diseases.
- The utility of exosomal miRNAs in diagnosing MPE requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze exosomal miRNA profiles in MPE and benign pleural effusion (BPE).
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of exosomal miRNAs for MPE.
- To determine if exosomal miRNAs can enhance the diagnostic accuracy of existing markers like carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).
Main Methods:
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to profile exosomal miRNAs in MPE and BPE samples.
- Differentially expressed miRNAs were validated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis assessed diagnostic accuracy, and combinations with CEA were evaluated.
Main Results:
- A significant number of miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in MPE compared to BPE.
- Exosomal miR-182-5p was identified as a potential diagnostic marker for MPE.
- Exosomal miR-182-5p demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.78-0.80) and slightly improved MPE diagnosis when combined with CEA (AUC 0.91).
Conclusions:
- Pleural fluid exosomal miR-182-5p can serve as an auxiliary biomarker for MPE diagnosis.
- The choice of internal reference (cel-miR-39 or snRNA U6) can slightly impact the diagnostic performance of exosomal miR-182-5p.
- Combining exosomal miR-182-5p with CEA offers improved diagnostic accuracy for MPE.
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