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Analysis of circulating microRNAs that are specifically increased in hyperlipidemic and/or hyperglycemic sera

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA sequences that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by translation inhibition or mRNA degradation. The aim of the present study was to analyze serum miRNAs modulated by hyperlipidemia and/or hyperglycemia and to correlate them with biochemical parameters within lipid metabolism. Five selected circulating miRNAs (miR-125a-5p, miR-146a, miR-10a, miR-21 and miR-33a) were individually analyzed by TaqMan miRNA assays along with lipid and inflammation parameters in sera from 20 hyperlipidemic (HL) and/or hyperglycemic (HG) patients, and compared with data from five normolipidemic/normoglycemic subjects. Results showed: (1) the levels of all the analyzed circulating miRNA were increased in HL sera and correlated positively with sera’s lipid and inflammatory parameters; (2) circulating miR-125a-5p and miR-146a levels were increased in HG and/or HL sera; (3) all selected miRNAs were detected in α-lipoprotein fraction from sera, and miR-33a was also present in β-lipoprotein fraction; (4) miRNA concentrations were increased in the α-lipoprotein fraction from HL sera. These data show a statistically significant correlation of the analyzed miRNA with increased lipids, specifically with α- and β-lipoproteins, and CRP and IL-1β levels in HL and/or HG sera, suggesting a contribution of these miRNAs to the atherosclerotic process.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Romanian Academy, by the National Ministry of Education and Research project PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0184 and cofinanced by CARDIOPRO Project ID:143, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) co-financed investment in Research, Technology Development and Innovation for Competitiveness. The authors thank Mrs. Daniela Rogoz and Ms. Cristina Dobre (Lipidomics Dept.) for their skillful technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lipidomics Department, Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicolae Simionescu”, Romanian Academy, 8, B.P. Hasdeu Street, 050568, Bucharest, Romania

    Natalia Simionescu, Loredan S. Niculescu, Gabriela M. Sanda & Anca V. Sima

  2. Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania

    Natalia Simionescu

  3. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania

    Denisa Margina

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  1. Natalia Simionescu
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  2. Loredan S. Niculescu
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  5. Anca V. Sima
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Correspondence to Anca V. Sima.

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Natalia Simionescu and Loredan S. Niculescu have contributed equally to this work.

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Simionescu, N., Niculescu, L.S., Sanda, G.M. et al. Analysis of circulating microRNAs that are specifically increased in hyperlipidemic and/or hyperglycemic sera. Mol Biol Rep 41, 5765–5773 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-014-3449-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-014-3449-2

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