Plasma level of miR-99b may serve as potential diagnostic and short-term prognostic markers in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Considering Context-Specific microRNAs in Ischemic Stroke with Three "W": Where, When, and What

MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNA molecules that function as critical regulators of various biological processes through negative regulation of gene expression post-transcriptionally. Recent studies have indicated that microRNAs are potential biomarkers for ischemic stroke. In this review, we first illustrate the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and demonstrate the biogenesis and transportation of microRNAs from cells. We then discuss several promising microRNA biomarkers in ischemic stroke in a context-specific manner from three dimensions: biofluids selection for microRNA extraction (Where), the timing of sample collection after ischemic stroke onset (When), and the clinical application of the differential-expressed microRNAs during stroke pathophysiology (What). We show that microRNAs have the utilities in ischemic stroke diagnosis, risk stratification, subtype classification, prognosis prediction, and treatment response monitoring. However, there are also obstacles in microRNA biomarker research, and this review will discuss the possible ways to improve microRNA biomarkers. Overall, microRNAs have the potential to assist clinical treatment, and developing microRNA panels for clinical application is worthwhile.

Neuroinflammation-associated miR-106a-5p serves as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND

Acute cerebral infarction (ACI) is a common cerebrovascular disease. Previous studies have shown that some abnormally expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in ACI. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-106a-5p in the diagnosis and prognosis of ACI patients, and analyze the regulatory potential of miR-106a-5p on the inflammation of BV-2 microglial cells.

METHOD

Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected from 98 ACI patients, and the expression of serum miR-106a-5p was analyzed using qRT-PCR. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-106a-5p. The association of miR-106a-5p with ACI prognosis was evaluated using the logistic analysis. In vitro experiments were performed in BV-2 cells by oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) treatment, and the effects of miR-106a-5p on BV-2 inflammation were assessed using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULT

It was observed that miR-106a-5p was significantly upregulated in the serum and CSF of ACI patients (all P < 0.001), and had considerable diagnostic accuracy. The highest serum miR-106a-5p was observed in severe ACI cases, and miR-106a-5p expression was significantly increased in unfavorable prognosis patients. Serum and CSF expression of miR-106a-5p was positively correlated with proinflammatory cytokines in ACI patients, and the inflammation of OGD-induced BV-2 cells was suppressed by miR-106a-5p reduction.

CONCLUSION

MiR-106a-5p is overexpressed in ACI patients and may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for ACI. Furthermore, miR-106a-5p may be involved in ACI progression by regulating neuroinflammation.

Circulating MicroRNAs and Extracellular Vesicle-Derived MicroRNAs as Predictors of Functional Recovery in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Stroke accounts for the second leading cause of death and a major cause of disability, with limited therapeutic strategy in both the acute and chronic phases. Blood-based biomarkers are intensively researched and widely recognized as useful tools to predict the prognoses of patients confronted with therapeutically limited diseases. We performed a systematic review of the circulating biomarkers in IS patients with prognostic value, with a focus on microRNAs and exosomes as predictive biomarkers of motor and cognitive recovery. We identified 63 studies, totalizing 72 circulating biomarkers with prognostic value in stroke recovery, as follows: 68 miRNAs and exosomal-miRNAs being identified as predictive for motor recovery after stroke, and seven biomarkers being predictive for cognitive recovery. Twelve meta-analyses were performed using effect sizes (random-effects and fixed-effects model). The most significant correlation findings obtained after pooling were with miR-21, miR-29b, miR-125b-5p, miR-126, and miR-335. We identified several miRNAs that were correlated with clinical outcomes of stroke severity and recovery after ischemic stroke, providing predictive information on motor and cognitive recovery. Based on the current state of research, we identified serum miR-9 and neutrophil miR-29b as the most promising biomarkers for in-depth follow-up studies, followed by serum miR-124 and plasma miR-125b.

miR-124 Is Downregulated in Serum of Acute Cerebral Infarct Patients and Shows Diagnostic and Prognostic Value

Acute cerebral infarct (ACI) is a severe subtype of ischemic stroke. microRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of ACI. This study investigated the expression pattern and clinical implication of miR-124 in ACI patients. Serum samples were collected from 108 healthy people and 108 ACI patients at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Serum miR-124 expression was tested using qRT-PCR. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected using ELISA kits. The correlations between miR-124 expression and infarct classification, infarct size, risk factors, and inflammatory factors were analyzed. The diagnostic efficacy of miR-124 in ACI was analyzed by the ROC curve. ACI patients were assigned to the miR-124 high/low expression group and the incidence of poor prognosis was compared between the two groups. miR-124 expression was poorly expressed in the serum of ACI patients. The area under the ROC curve of miR-124 in the diagnosis of ACI was 0.9527, the specificity was 91.67%, and the sensitivity was 93.52%. miR-124 expression in ACI patients was not affected by infarct classification, infarct size, low-density lipoprotein level, and homocysteine level. miR-124 expression was negatively correlated with IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in ACI patients. Low expression of miR-124 was positively correlated with the poor prognosis of ACI. miR-124 was poorly expressed in the serum of ACI patients and served as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis. This study shall confer a promising novel target for the diagnosis and treatment of ACI.

Comprehensive Analysis of Potential miRNA-Target mRNA-Immunocyte Subtype Network in Cerebral Infarction

INTRODUCTION

Cerebral infarction (CI) is one of the leading causes of serious long-term disability and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify potential miRNAs and target mRNAs and assess the involvement of immunocyte infiltration in the process of CI.

METHODS

First, miRNA and mRNA data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, followed by differential expression analysis. Second, correlation analysis between differentially expressed mRNAs and differential immunocyte subtypes was performed through the CIBERSORT algorithm. Third, the regulatory network between miRNAs and immunocyte subtype-related mRNAs was constructed followed by the functional analysis of these target mRNAs. Fourth, correlation validation between differentially expressed mRNAs and differential immunocyte subtypes was performed in the GSE37587 dataset. Finally, the diagnostic ability of immunocyte subtype-related mRNAs was tested.

RESULTS

Up to 17 differentially expressed miRNAs and 3,267 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified, among which 310 differentially expressed mRNAs were significantly associated with immunocyte subtypes. Several miRNA-target mRNA-immunocyte subtype networks including hsa-miR-671-3p-ZC3HC1-neutrophils, hsa-miR-625-CD5-monocytes, hsa-miR-122-ACOX1/DUSP1/NEDD9-neutrophils, hsa-miR-455-5p-SLC24A4-monocytes, and hsa-miR-455-5p-SORL1-neutrophils were identified. LAT, ACOX1, DUSP1, NEDD9, ZC3HC1, BIN1, AKT1, DNMT1, SLC24A4, and SORL1 had a potential diagnostic value for CI.

CONCLUSIONS

The network including miRNA, target mRNA, and immunocyte subtype may be novel regulators and diagnostic and therapeutic targets in CI.

Plasma miR-409-3p promotes acute cerebral infarction via suppressing CTRP3

Abnormal expression of miR-409-3p has been found in several neurodevelopmental disorders, but whether it is dysregulated in the patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) has not been evaluated. The current study mainly focused on the clinical significance and the underlying mechanism of plasma miR-409-3p in the progression of ACI. The level of plasma miR-409-3p was determined in ACI patients (n = 80) and healthy controls (n = 30). Pearson correlation assay was performed to evaluate the association and cardiovascular risk factors. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma miR-409-3p levels in patients with ACI. Dual luciferase reporter assay and western blot were performed to determine the possible target gene of miR-409-3p. Our data showed that the expression of plasma miR-409-3p in the ACI group was higher than that in the healthy controls. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between plasma miR-409-3p and the NIHSS score. ROC analysis indicated that plasma miR-409-3p could differentiate plasma miR-409-3p in ACI patients from healthy controls. Then, we explored the possible target genes of miR-409-3p. Interestingly, C1q and TNF-related 3 (CTRP3), a novel adipose tissue-derived secreted factor, was found to be a target gene of miR-409-3p. We found that knockdown of CTRP3 significantly induced PC12 cell apoptosis, even in PC12 cells transfected with miR-409-3p inhibitor. These data suggested that miR-409-3p induced PC12 cell apoptosis by targeting CTRP3. Altogether, elevated plasma miR-409-3p is correlated with disease severity and may be efficient for the early diagnosis of ACI.

Plasma level of miR-99b may serve as potential diagnostic and short-term prognostic markers in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Objective

The aim of the present study is to explore the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma levels of miR‐99 family for patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI).

Methods

A total of 112 patients who have been diagnosed with ACI were enrolled in this study, and 112 healthy volunteers were served as the controls. The plasma of the patients and controls were collected, and total RNAs were isolated, and the expression levels of miR‐99a, miR‐99b, and miR‐100 in the plasma of patients and controls were compared determined by RT‐qPCR methods; moreover, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve has been drawn to determine whether the plasma levels of miR‐99b can distinguish patients with ACI from the controls; furthermore, the short‐term prognosis of the patients was evaluated by glasgow outcome scale (GOS), and the correlation between the plasma levels of miR‐99b and the GOS of the patients was evaluated. Finally, the correlation between the plasma level of miR‐99 and VEGF of ACI patients was analyzed.

Results

It was observed that miR‐99b was significantly decreased in the plasma of ACI patients compared with the healthy controls (P < .01), while the plasma levels of miR‐99a and miR‐100 showed no significant differences between the patients with ACI and the healthy controls; moreover, the area under the curve (AUC) of miR‐99b for the diagnosis of ACI was 0.8882 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.8451‐0.9313), suggesting that plasma level of miR‐99b is a sensitive marker to distinguish patients with ACI from the healthy volunteers; furthermore, the serum level of miR‐99b was negatively correlated with GOS score of the patients (r = −.56, P < .001); finally, the plasma level of miR‐99b was negatively correlated with the levels of VEGF (r = −.3013, P = .0012).

Conclusion

miR‐99b was down‐regulated in plasma of patients with ACI, and plasma level of miR‐99b may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for the diagnosis and treatment of ACI.