Discordant Expression of Circulating microRNA from Cellular and Extracellular Sources

PLoS One. 2016 Apr 28;11(4):e0153691. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153691. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

MicroRNA (miRNA) expression has rapidly grown into one of the largest fields for disease characterization and development of clinical biomarkers. Consensus is lacking in regards to the optimal sample source or if different circulating sources are concordant. Here, using miRNA measurements from contemporaneously obtained whole blood- and plasma-derived RNA from 2391 individuals, we demonstrate that plasma and blood miRNA levels are divergent and may reflect different biological processes and disease associations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / blood*
  • Plasma / metabolism
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs