Serum miRNAs as potential biomarkers for the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation
K. Budding, M. Rossato, E.A. van de Graaf, T.R.D.J. Radstake, H.G. Otten
Chair(s): dr. Martin. J. Hoogduijn, wetenschappelijk medewerker, Erasmus MC & prof. dr. Cees. van Kooten, onderzoeker, LUMC
Wednesday 9 march 2016
16:00 - 16:10h
at Zaal 5 & 6
Categories: Parallelsessie (basaal)
Parallel session: Parallelsessie IV - Basaal
Introduction:
Lung transplantation (LTx) is the last treatment for patients suffering from endstage lung diseases. Survival post-LTx is hampered by the development of the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), hallmarked by fibrotic complications, of which the clinical diagnosis is based on a surrogate marker, FEV1 decline, and is often late. Therefore, there is clinical need for novel biomarkers for BOS development at an earlier stage.
Methods:
We hypothesized that selected miRNAs could serve as stratification markers for patients who do or do not develop BOS post-LTx. We analyzed serum levels of selected pro-fibrotic (miR-21,miR-155), anti-fibrotic (miR-29a) and fibrosis-unrelated (miR-103,miR-191) miRNAs in endstage lung disease patients and during follow-up in a cohort of LTx patients.
Results:
When stratified per lung disease, we observed significant elevated circulatory miRNA serum levels for all investigated miRNAs in both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease patients compared to healthy controls. Only miR-103 was increased for cystic fibrosis patients. Levels of all miRNAs analyzed were significantly increased in the serum of BOS+ vs. BOS- patients. Additionally, levels of miR-21 and miR-103 were significantly higher in BOS+ patients prior to the clinical diagnosis of BOS. Similar observations were made for miR-155 and miR-191.
Conclusion:
We demonstrate that a selected group of miRNAs is elevated in end-stage lung disease and in BOS+ patients compared to BOS- patients. This difference is present prior to the clinical diagnosis of BOS. However, further research is justified on the prognostic value of circulating miRNAs in BOS and lung conditions in general.
