Reference Gene Validation for RT-qPCR in PBMCs from Asthmatic Patients with or without Obesity

Identifying the best reference gene for RT-qPCR analyses of the three-dimensional osteogenic differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells

Reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is an essential tool for gene expression analysis; choosing appropriate reference genes for normalization is crucial to ensure data reliability. However, most studies on osteogenic differentiation have had limited success in identifying optimal reference genes. To the best of our knowledge, no optimal reference genes in three-dimensional (3D) osteogenic differentiation culture experiments using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have been identified. In this study, we aimed to identify stable reference genes that could be used for normalization in gene expression analyses during the 3D osteogenic differentiation of hiPSCs using an atelocollagen sponge as a scaffold. Four algorithms-ΔCt, BestKeeper, NormFinder, and geNorm-were used to evaluate the stability of 14 candidate reference genes. Genes encoding TATA box-binding protein, hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1, and 14-3-3 protein zeta polypeptide were identified as the most stable reference genes. In comparison, conventionally used reference genes (beta-2 microglobulin and beta-actin genes) ranked among those with low stability. We also demonstrated the successful 3D osteogenic differentiation of hiPSCs on atelocollagen sponge. Our findings provide valuable insights for reference gene selection and bone tissue regeneration from hiPSCs, which could improve the treatment prospects for bone defects and other similar conditions in regenerative medicine.

Potential biomarkers for retinopathy of prematurity identified by circular RNA profiling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Purpose

This study aims to reveal the altered expression profiles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and to identify potential biomarkers for ROP diagnosis.

Methods

Differentially expressed circRNAs in PBMCs of five infants with ROP and five controls were identified using microarray analysis. Twelve altered circRNAs were validated using reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to predict the circRNA/miRNA interactions, competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, related biological functions, and signaling pathways. Four selected circRNAs in PBMCs were verified using RT-qPCR in another cohort, including 24 infants with ROP and 23 premature controls, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to estimate their potential as diagnostic biomarkers of ROP.

Results

A total of 54 and 143 circRNAs were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively, in the PBMCs of patients with ROP compared with controls. Twelve of the significantly altered circRNAs were preliminarily validated by RT-qPCR, which confirmed the reliability of the microarray analysis. The circRNA/miRNA interactions and ceRNA network were displayed according to the altered circRNAs. Three circRNAs (hsa_circRNA_061346, hsa_circRNA_092369, and hsa_circRNA_103554) were identified as potential diagnostic biomarkers for ROP with certain clinical values.

Conclusions

CircRNAs were significantly altered in PBMCs of treatment-requiring ROP patients. CircRNAs may be used as potential biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets for ROP.