Diagnostic value of miRNA-101 and miRNA-27 in acute heart transplant rejection

Abstract

Objective: to determine the diagnostic value of miRNA-101 and miRNA-27 expression levels for acute hearttransplant rejection. Materials and methods. The study enrolled 46 heart recipients, among whom were 36 men (78.3%); the average age of recipients was 47.7 = 10.8 (16 to 67) years. Serum microRNA expression levels were measured via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Graft rejection was verified through morphological analysis of endomyocardial biopsy specimens. Results. The expression levels of miRNA-101 and miRNA-27 in recipients with acute graft rejection are significantly lower than in recipients without rejection (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03, respectively). When the miRNA-101 expression level is below the determined threshold value, the risk of developing acute graft rejection increases 1.8 times (RR = 1.8 [95% CI 1.13–3.01]). When the miRNA-27 expression level is below the determined threshold value, the risk of developing acute graft rejection increases 1.9 times (RR = 1.9 [95% CI 1.12–3.37]). Simultaneous decrease in the expression levels of miRNA-101 and miRNA-27 below the determined threshold values increases the likelihood of acute graft rejection by 2.0 times (RR = 2.0 [95% CI 1.16–3.36]). Conclusion. The serum miRNA-101 and miRNA-27 expression levels are of diagnostic value for acute graft rejection in heart recipients.

Keywords

• heart transplantation
• mirna-101
• mirna-27
• acute rejection
• biomarkers