TY - JOUR
T1 - Circulating microRNAs May Be Predictive of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
AU - Divi, Srikanth N.
AU - Markova, Dessislava Z.
AU - D’Antonio, Nicholas D.
AU - Lambrechts, Mark J.
AU - Levy, Hannah A.
AU - Heard, Jeremy C.
AU - Yalla, Goutham R.
AU - Chang, Michael
AU - Hilibrand, Alan S.
AU - Vaccaro, Alexander R.
AU - Kepler, Christopher K.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
PY - 2024/10/15
Y1 - 2024/10/15
N2 - Objective. The objective of this study was to identify a unique serum profile of circulating miRNAs and inflammatory markers in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) compared with healthy controls (HC). Summary of Background Data. Currently, DCM is diagnosed with a combination of history, physical examination, and close correlation to advanced imaging. To date, no serum marker has been identified to be diagnostic of this condition. Methods. Whole venous blood was collected from patients with DCM as well as healthy age-matched and gender-matched controls. miRNA was extracted from venous blood, and a screening analysis was initially conducted to identify miRNA dysregulation in DCM patients. RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression of 2 specific miRNAs based on screening analysis and literature review. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify gene networks and potential targets of the miRNA. In addition, the serum inflammatory profile of DCM and HC groups was differentiated using a pro-inflammatory panel. Results. Thirty-six patients were enrolled in the DCM group (36.1% male, 61.5 ± 9.5 y), while 35 patients were enrolled in the HC group (31.4% male, 57.5 ± 8.9 y). Of the 15 total miRNAs differentially expressed between DCM and HC groups, two were selected for further analysis: miR-223-3p (upregulated) and miR-451a (downregulated). Functional gene network analysis revealed the highest-ranking gene network was involved in neurological disease, while the most overexpressed miRNA in this network (miR-233-3p) was noted to have over 100 targets, including CDKN1B and the insulin receptor. Serum cytokine analysis showed significant upregulation of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in the DCM cohort compared with the HC group. Conclusion. DCM patients demonstrated a set of unique circulating miRNAs in addition to a different serum inflammatory profile compared with HC. These miRNAs may potentially serve as targets for future therapeutic intervention or diagnostic/ prognostic testing.
AB - Objective. The objective of this study was to identify a unique serum profile of circulating miRNAs and inflammatory markers in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) compared with healthy controls (HC). Summary of Background Data. Currently, DCM is diagnosed with a combination of history, physical examination, and close correlation to advanced imaging. To date, no serum marker has been identified to be diagnostic of this condition. Methods. Whole venous blood was collected from patients with DCM as well as healthy age-matched and gender-matched controls. miRNA was extracted from venous blood, and a screening analysis was initially conducted to identify miRNA dysregulation in DCM patients. RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression of 2 specific miRNAs based on screening analysis and literature review. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify gene networks and potential targets of the miRNA. In addition, the serum inflammatory profile of DCM and HC groups was differentiated using a pro-inflammatory panel. Results. Thirty-six patients were enrolled in the DCM group (36.1% male, 61.5 ± 9.5 y), while 35 patients were enrolled in the HC group (31.4% male, 57.5 ± 8.9 y). Of the 15 total miRNAs differentially expressed between DCM and HC groups, two were selected for further analysis: miR-223-3p (upregulated) and miR-451a (downregulated). Functional gene network analysis revealed the highest-ranking gene network was involved in neurological disease, while the most overexpressed miRNA in this network (miR-233-3p) was noted to have over 100 targets, including CDKN1B and the insulin receptor. Serum cytokine analysis showed significant upregulation of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in the DCM cohort compared with the HC group. Conclusion. DCM patients demonstrated a set of unique circulating miRNAs in addition to a different serum inflammatory profile compared with HC. These miRNAs may potentially serve as targets for future therapeutic intervention or diagnostic/ prognostic testing.
KW - cervical disease
KW - cytokines
KW - degenerative cervical myelopathy
KW - functional gene networks
KW - miRNA
KW - myelopathy
KW - stenosis
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85204820376
U2 - 10.1097/BRS.0000000000005025
DO - 10.1097/BRS.0000000000005025
M3 - Article
C2 - 38711175
AN - SCOPUS:85204820376
SN - 0362-2436
VL - 49
SP - 1393
EP - 1400
JO - Spine
JF - Spine
IS - 20
ER -