MicroRNA expression profiles in very preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus - a pilot study.

Abstract

Introduction: Very preterm infants are at risk for developing hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA), which contributes to increased morbidity. The optimal management of hsPDA remains controversial, and treatment options are associated with complications. Developing accurate prediction tools for hsPDA closure is essential to guide management strategies. The aim of the present pilot study was to investigate microRNA expression profiles in very preterm infants with and without hsPDA and to assess their potential as biomarkers for hsPDA.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled preterm infants with a birth weight of ≤1250 g and a gestational age of <30 weeks at Innsbruck Medical University Hospital, Austria. Infants with spontaneous ductus closure within the first week comprised the control group, while those with persistent hsPDA formed the hsPDA group. Total RNA was extracted from dried blood spots (umbilical cord blood and infant blood of week 1), followed by microRNA sequencing and differential gene expression analysis.

Results: The study included 25 infants (control group: n = 14; hsPDA group: n = 11). Differential expression analysis of umbilical cord blood identified significant downregulation of hsa-miR-218-5p in the hsPDA group compared to the control group (Log2 Fold Change = -3.444; FDR = 0.099, Benjamini-Hochberg corrected). In the analysis of infant blood of week 1, no significant differences in miRNA expression profile between hsPDA and control group were detected.

Conclusion: MicroRNAs could be potential biomarkers for hsPDA closure in preterm infants. Larger studies are needed to validate our findings of this pilot study and to assess clinical applicability.