Preliminary investigation of peripheral extracellular vesicles’ microRNAs in bipolar disorder

Autor: Camila Nayane de Carvalho Lima, Giovana Zunta-Soares, Jair C. Soares, João Quevedo, Gabriel Rodrigo Fries, Samira S. Valvassori
Rok vydání: 2019
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Affective Disorders. 255:10-14
ISSN: 0165-0327
Popis: Background The search for biomarkers of bipolar disorder (BD), including epigenetic alterations, has heavily relied on peripheral investigations that do not necessarily reflect brain-specific mechanisms. In this study we aimed to assess peripheral extracellular vesicles (EVs)’ microRNAs and determine their use as a novel source of biomarkers in BD. Methods We assessed peripheral blood EVs’ microRNAs from 20 patients with BD type I and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy controls by microarray, and further explored the predicted biological functions of significantly differentially expressed microRNAs. Results Our results identified 33 nominally significant microRNAs (p 1.5) altered in BD patients, including miRNAs previously reported to be altered in post-mortem tissues of patients. Pathway analyses identified some brain-relevant mechanisms enriched in these miRNAs, including axon guidance by netrin and the serotonin receptor pathway. Limitations Relatively small sample size, potential confounding effects of mood states, medication use, and comorbidities, analysis of total rather than brain-specific EVs, and lack of validation of significant miRNAs by other methods. Conclusions This study provides important preliminary evidence of the potential use of EVs as a novel source of biomarkers in BD. Overall, our findings of brain-relevant mechanisms in these vesicles suggest their potential use in living patients as a peripheral window to the brain.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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