Biomarker potential of vitreous microRNA in retinal disease: a meta-analysis
crossref(2024)
Abstract
Background Acquired retinal diseases such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration pose significant challenges in diagnosis and prognosis. The vitreous fluid, situated in the posterior chamber of the eye behind the lens, holds a close relationship with the inner retina. Within this milieu, retinal cells secrete a diverse array of biomolecules, potentially harboring vital biomarkers. Among these, short, non-coding micro-RNAs (miRNAs) emerge as promising candidates. Their dynamic regulation by various gene signaling mechanisms, enhanced resistance to degradation, and secretion via separate exocytotic pathways make them particularly significant. Alterations in vitreal miRNA profiles may reflect pathological states and offer insights into disease etiology and progression.
Abstract We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 22 peer-reviewed studies to assess the potential of vitreous miRNAs as biomarkers for retinal diseases. Our analysis demonstrates the potential utility of miRNAs as biomarkers in specific retinal pathologies. We show that miR-142, miR-9, and miR-21 emerge as robust biomarker candidates, displaying consistent and significant alterations correlating with proliferative vitreoretinal diseases. We also address the methodological challenges encountered in characterizing vitreous miRNA content, including the absence of standardized purification, amplification, and analysis protocols, as well as the scarcity of true control samples. Moreover, we make the case for the adoption of specific housekeeping genes and data normalization techniques to standardize miRNA analysis in the vitreous and explore potential methodologies for obtaining vitreous samples from healthy individuals.
Conclusion Vitreous miRNAs hold promise as potential biomarkers for various retinal diseases, with miR-142, miR-9, and miR-21 emerging as particularly promising candidates. Enhancing methodologies for vitreous sampling and miRNA analysis presents an opportunity to expand the repertoire and utility of miRNA biomarkers in retinal disease diagnosis and prognosis.
![Figure][1]
Graphic abstract From left to right, the diagram shows the location of the retina and the vitreous humor within the eye; the microanatomy of the retinal layers showcasing the secretion of exosomes and biomolecules into the vitreous from its anterior side (inner retinal layers); a magnified illustration of miRNA secretion process from gene expression in the cell nucleus to exosome -dependent and - independent secretion pathways; and the process of intravitreal biopsy for collection and analysis of miRNA expression using quantitative PCR methods.
### Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
### Funding Statement
This study was supported by Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) Career Development Award to MT and RPB Unrestricted Gift to the Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center.
### Author Declarations
I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.
Yes
The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:
This study is a meta-analysis and review of published results. All data used here were previously pulished in peer-reviewed studies and are publicly and freely available.
I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.
Yes
I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).
Yes
I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.
Yes
All data produced in the present work are contained in the manuscript.
* AMD
: Age-related Macular Degeneration
ERM
: Epiretinal Membrane
DR
: Diabetic Retinopathy
MH
: Macular Hole
miRNA
: microRNA
NPDR
: Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
PDR
: Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
PM
: Pathological Myopia
PVR
: Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy
PVRD
: Proliferative vitreoretinal disease
PVRL
: Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma
RD
: Retinal Detachment
RRD
: Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
[1]: pending:yes
MoreTranslated text
AI Read Science
Must-Reading Tree
Example
![](https://originalfileserver.aminer.cn/sys/aminer/pubs/mrt_preview.jpeg)
Generate MRT to find the research sequence of this paper
Chat Paper
Summary is being generated by the instructions you defined