مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Serum‑based microRNA biomarkers for major depression: MiR‑16, miR‑135a, and miR‑1202

Author/Authors :

Gheysarzadeh, Ali Ilam University of Medical Sciences , Sadeghifard, Nourkhoda Ilam University of Medical Sciences , Afraidooni, Loghman Ilam University of Medical Sciences , Pooyan, Farahnaz Ilam University of Medical Sciences , Mofid, Mohammad Reza Department of Biochemistry - School of Pharmacy - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , Valadbeigi, Hassan Ilam University of Medical Sciences , Bakhtiari, Hadi Department of Biochemistry - School of Pharmacy - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , Keikhavani, Sattar Department of Clinical Psychology - Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam

Abstract :

Background: Depression is a common medical condition with a high prevalence leading to emotional abnormality. Despite some drawbacks, depression currently diagnosed using a combination of patient interviews and self‑report questionnaires. Recently, there is emerging emphasis to establish biomarkers to diagnosis and clinical management of depression. This case–control study was designed to develop microRNA (miRNA)‑based serum biomarker for depression. Materials and Methods: In this study, 39 patients with depression and 36 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum miRNAs gene expression was measured using real‑time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis; finally, the data represent as the 2–ΔCt followed by further statistical analysis. Results: The serum level of miR‑16 was significantly (P < 0.001) down‑regulated (mean: 0.9123 and standard deviation [SD]: 0.06) in compared to normal individuals (mean: 1.6848 and SD: 0.09). The concentration of miR‑135a was also catastrophically decreased (P < 0.001) in the patients (mean: 1.160 and SD: 0.07) in compared to control (mean: 1.819 and SD: 0.09). The relative miR‑1202 expression levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the patients (mean: 0.1755 and SD: 0.01) than in the healthy individuals (mean: 0.2939 and SD: 0.01). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated the obvious separation between patient and healthy control, with an AUC of 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.642–0.858, P < 0.001), 0.72 (95% CI = 0.607–0.834, P < 0.001), and 0.74 (95% CI = 0.630–0.861, P < 0.001) for miR‑16, miR‑135a, and miR‑1202, respectively. The data suggest that these miRNAs have a potential to be used as a biomarker of depression with sensitivity 77.8% and specificity of 61.5% for miR‑16, 94.4% and 41.0% for miR‑135a as well as 86.1% and 61.5% for miR‑1202, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings showed that these miRNA can be used as a biomarker of depression diagnosis. MiR‑135a and miR‑1202 exhibited better sensitivity and specificity, respectively.