Circulating miR-122 as a potential biomarker of liver disease. (April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laterza, Omar F; Scott, Mitchell G; Garrett-Engele, Philip W; Korenblat, Kevin M; Lockwood, Christina M
• Is Part Of: Biomarkers in medicine. Volume 7:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 210
• Publication Date: 2013-04
• Subjects: ALT -- AST -- biomarkers -- hepatitis B virus -- hepatitis C virus -- hepatocellular carcinoma -- liver disease -- microRNA -- miR-122 -- tissue injury; Biochemical markers -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.2217/bmm.12.107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-0363

Abstract

Aim: Expression profiles indicate that miR-122 is specifically and abundantly expressed in liver. This study sought to determine miR-122 plasma concentrations in 15 apparently healthy subjects and 30 patients with liver disease, and clarify whether plasma miR-122 correlates with ALT.Materials & methods: miR-122 was measured by quantitative PCR in healthy volunteers and patients with liver disease.Results: ALT was increased in two out of 15 (13%) apparently healthy subjects and 17 out of 30 (57%) liver disease patients. In healthy subjects, median miR-122 plasma concentration was 51.7 copies/20 pg RNA (range 16.0–312.0). In liver disease patients, median miR-122 was significantly elevated to 202.3 copies/20 pg RNA (range 20.9–1160.0; Mann–Whitney test between median concentrations; p = 0.0016).Conclusion: This small proof-of-principle study suggests that miR-122 may be a potential plasma biomarker of liver damage.