Role of microRNA-498 and microRNA-410 in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Abstract

Background: Neonatal asphyxia is the primary cause of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a condition characterized by hypoxic and ischemic brain damage. A class of short noncoding RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs) have significant regulatory functions, can function as diagnostic and developmental indicators of diseases, and are involved in disease pathophysiology.

Purpose: To study the role of microRNA-410 and micro RNA-498 in neonatal HIE as well as control and prevention of neonatal encephalopathy.

Methods: A case-control study was performed of on 30 full-term neonates with proven HIE, and 30 clinically healthy full-term neonates with no evidence of HIE matched for age and sex serving as controls. The expression of microRNA-498 and microRNA-410 were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Levels of miRNA-410 and miRNA-498 were higher in cases versus controls (1.56±6.43 copies/mL vs 0.58±0.60 copies/mL) and (55.63±118.24 copies/mL vs 3.74± 7.09 copies/mL), respectively. Of the cases, 66.7% were discharged cases and 33.3% died. Overall miRNA-410 had a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 60%, and cutoff point of ≤0.242, whereas miRNA-498 had a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 66.7%, and cutoff point >1.854.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that miRNA-498 and miRNA-410 can be auxiliary diagnostic and prognostic tools for neonatal HIE.