Exosomal microRNA profiles from serum and cerebrospinal fluid in neurosyphilis

Abstract

ObjectiveChanges in microRNAs (miRNAs) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are associated with different neurological diseases. Since alternations of miRNAs in neurosyphilis are insufficiently investigated, we analysed miRNAs in the CSF of patients suffering from neurosyphilis.MethodsExosomes were isolated from serum and CSF. Levels of 44 miRNAs were determined using quantitative real-time PCR-based miRNA array.ResultsIn patients with neurosyphilis (NSP), miR-590-5p, miR-570-3p and miR-570-5p were upregulated in the CSF and serum, when compared with patients with syphilis without neurosyphilis (SP). miR-590-5p and miR-570-3p were significantly upregulated (p<0.001). The expression of miR-21-5p was upregulated only in the CSF of NSP. Significant downregulation was observed for miR-93-3p in the CSF and serum of NSP. No statistical difference was found in the expression of miR-7-5p, miR-1307-5p, miR-203a-3p, miR-16, miR-23b-3p and miR-27b-5p in the CSF and serum of NSP and SP.ConclusionFor the first time, regulation profiles in miRNA in the CSF and serum were analysed in NSP. We found significant differences in upregulation and downregulation. Therefore, miRNAs may be potential biomarkers for the presence of neurosyphilis.

Laboratory Diagnostic Tools for Syphilis: Current Status and Future Prospects

“…Based on these findings, the production of cytokines and chemokine might be helpful for the diagnosis of neurosyphilis and to track the progression of the disease. Other biomarkers that can assist the diagnosis of neurosyphilis include microRNAs, which are characterized by their low immunogenicity and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier ( Chen et al., 2019 ). Nevertheless, the expression of cytokines and chemokine as well as microRNAs remain to be studied and are not widely used in the clinic.…”

Exosome release and cargo in Down syndrome

“…Evidence has been mounting suggesting that exosomes, isolated from either blood (Gauthier et al, ; Hamlett, Goetzl, et al, ) or CSF (Gomes de Andrade et al, ; Otake et al, ), might be useful in capturing relevant neuropathological processes within CNS neurons. Although only one manuscript could be found where investigators compared cargo of exosomes derived from blood versus CSF (Chen et al, ), this is indeed a promising new direction. The investigators did find differences in exosome cargo between these two sources; specifically, alterations in miRNAs as a result of pathology were different between the two.…”

Increased CCL24 and CXCL7 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neurosyphilis

“…Chen et al reported that miR-590-5p, miR-570-3p, and miR-570-5p are upregulated, while miR-93-3p is downregulated in the CSF of patients with neurosyphilis. 6 Other biomarkers that can assist in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis include chemokines, since the nucleated cells recruited into the CSF of patients with neurosyphilis lead to changes in chemokine expression. 7 Wang et al previously reported that CXCL13, CXCL10, and CXCL8 levels are elevated in the CSF of patients with neurosyphilis using a quantitative chemokine array and that they could be potential biomarkers for use as complementary diagnostic tools for neurosyphilis.…”

“…MicroRNAs (miRNAs) seem to be potential candidate biomarkers, due to their low immunity, good transmission, and ability to cross the blood‐brain barrier. Chen et al reported that miR‐590‐5p, miR‐570‐3p, and miR‐570‐5p are upregulated, while miR‐93‐3p is downregulated in the CSF of patients with neurosyphilis 6 . Other biomarkers that can assist in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis include chemokines, since the nucleated cells recruited into the CSF of patients with neurosyphilis lead to changes in chemokine expression 7 .…”