Cigarette smoking substantially alters plasma microRNA profiles in healthy subjects

Abstract

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are receiving attention as potential biomarkers of various diseases, including cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease. However, it is unknown whether the levels of circulating miRNAs in a healthy subject might vary with external factors in daily life. In this study, we investigated whether cigarette smoking, a habit that has spread throughout the world and is a risk factor for various diseases, affects plasma miRNA profiles. We determined the profiles of 11 smokers and 7 non-smokers by TaqMan MicroRNA array analysis. A larger number of miRNAs were detected in smokers than in non-smokers, and the plasma levels of two thirds of the detected miRNAs (43 miRNAs) were significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers. A principal component analysis of the plasma miRNA profiles clearly separated smokers and non-smokers. Twenty-four of the miRNAs were previously reported to be potential biomarkers of disease, suggesting the possibility that smoking status might interfere with the diagnosis of disease. Interestingly, we found that quitting smoking altered the plasma miRNA profiles to resemble those of non-smokers. These results suggested that the differences in the plasma miRNA profiles between smokers and non-smokers could be attributed to cigarette smoking. In addition, we found that an acute exposure of ex-smokers to cigarette smoke (smoking one cigarette) did not cause a dramatic change in the plasma miRNA profile. In conclusion, we found that repeated cigarette smoking substantially alters the plasma miRNA profile, interfering with the diagnosis of disease or signaling potential smoking-related diseases.

Predictive relevance of miR‑34a, miR‑224 and miR‑342 in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung undergoing palliative chemotherapy

“…Similarly, Tai et al (22) identified that miR-342 was capable of indirectly regulating MYC activity via the direct repression of E2F transcription factor 1. Takahashi et al (23) investigated how cigarette smoking altered plasma miRNA profiles; they identified that there was a decrease in plasma miR-342 in subjects who quit smoking, compared with smokers. miR-34a is a member of the miR-34 family that is associated with the p53 pathway, and is implicated in cell death/survival signaling (24).…”

Emerging role of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator as an epigenetic regulator: linking environmental cues to microRNAs

“…130 Interestingly, studies have also shown that CS exposure can alter miRNA profiles in humans and animals. 131,132 Notably, Hassan et al reported that miR-101 was highly upregulated by CS exposure, which has also been shown to directly target the CFTR 3 0 untranslated region, and suppressed CFTR expression in airway cells, 133 suggesting that miR-101 may mediate the CS-suppressed CFTR expression. Of note, several other miRNAs have also been reported to regulate CFTR expression directly or indirectly in airway cells and colon cancer cells.…”

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Is a Novel Determinant of Cigarette Smoke–Induced Lung Damage

“…MIF is, however, sensitive to epigenetic silencing. MicroRNA-451 can suppress MIF expression (40) and, intriguingly, this microRNA is up-regulated in the circulation of human smokers (41), suggesting one potential molecular mechanism of MIF suppression in COPD. In addition, the MIF promoter is repressed by histone deacetylase inhibitors (42).…”