Identification of Novel Serum MicroRNAs in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To identify circulating microRNAs (miRNA) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Thus differentially expressed serum miRNA could be used as AMD biomarkers.

Methods

This study involved total RNA isolation from sera from patients with atrophic AMD (n = 10), neovascular AMD (n = 10), and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 10). A total of 377 miRNAs were coanalyzed using array technologies, and differentially regulated miRNAs were determined. Extensive validation studies (n = 90) of serum from AMD patients and controls confirmed initial results. Total RNA isolation was carried out from sera from patients with atrophic AMD (n = 30), neovascular AMD (n = 30), and controls (n = 30). Fourteen miRNAs from the discovery dataset were coanalyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to validate their presence.

Results

Unsupervised hierarchical clustering indicated that AMD serum specimens have a different miRNA profile to healthy controls. We successfully identified and validated the differentially regulated miRNAs in serum from AMD patients versus controls. The biomarker potential of three miRNAs (miR-126, miR-19a, and miR-410) was confirmed by qRT-PCR, with significantly increased quantities in serum of AMD patients compared with healthy controls.

Conclusions

Increased quantities of miR-126, miR-410, and miR-19a in serum from AMD patients indicate that these miRNAs could potentially serve as diagnostic AMD biomarkers. All three miRNAs significantly correlated with AMD pathogenesis.

Translational relevance

The discovery of new AMD miRNA may act as biomarkers in evaluating AMD diagnosis and prognosis.

SUBMITTER: ElShelmani H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7396178 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature