Expression Profile of MicroRNA Biogenesis Components in Renal Transplant Patients.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and the miRNA biogenesis components are potential biomarkers of some prevalent diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. In light of this information, we aimed to investigate the expression profiles of miRNA biogenesis components in renal transplant patients before and after transplantation and how these profiles are related to immunosuppressive treatment and clinical outcomes of these patients.

METHODS: In this study, gene and protein expression profiles of Dicer, Drosha, Pasha (DGCR8), Exportin5 (XPO5), and Argonaute2 (AGO2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of renal transplant patients were evaluated by means of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot methods before and 3 months after transplantation. Patients who had transplant procedures for the first time were included in the study.

RESULTS: Gene expressions were significantly reduced after transplantation. The reduction rate of expressions in 1 patient undergoing chronic rejection was higher. In addition, in patients under everolimus treatment, gene expression of Dicer did not change and gene expression of AGO2 increased. Dicer, Drosha, DGCR8, and AGO2 protein expressions were reduced in all patients, but no change was observed in XPO5 protein expression in nonrejecting patients. Interestingly, in the patient undergoing chronic rejection, protein expression profiles other than Dicer were distinctive from nonrejecting patients. However, XPO5 protein expression was higher in that patient.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows the importance of the global effect of immunosuppressive treatment on the miRNA biogenesis pathway. miRNA biogenesis components are potential biomarkers indicative of graft outcome and pharmacologic target molecules.