Profile of microRNAs in the plasma of Parkinson’s disease patients and healthy controls

Abstract

Plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers for several diseases. Our aim was to define the miRNA profile in plasma from Parkinson´s disease (PD) patients and healthy controls. We performed TaqMan low density arrays (TLDAs) in pools of patients and controls. Seven miRNAs differently expressed between the two groups were individually assayed in a total of 31 PD patients and 25 controls. MiR-331-5p remained significantly increased in patients vs. controls. A bioinformatic analysis predicted that this miRNA could be involved in the regulation of genes related with PD and brain function (axon guidance, MPK signaling pathway or insulin signaling pathway). We concluded that miR-331-5p could be a candidate plasma miRNA to be studied in PD related pathways