The Relationship Between MicroRNAs And Congenital Kidney Anomalies

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify diagnostic microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with congenital kidney anomalies. Methods: Twenty-five healthy pregnant women who were found to have fetal kidney anomaly in the second trimester of their pregnancy at Department of Perinatology, were included in the study. Serum samples were taken from the pregnant women at the moment of diagnosis in the antenatal 20th gestational week, whereas serum samples were taken from the cord blood of babies during birth. There were 11 multicystic dysplastic kidney patients, 6 autosomal recessive polycystic kidney patients, and 8 unilateral hypoplastic kidney patients. Expression of specific miRNAs was monitored using specific primer assays in Real-Time PCR. The expression of the following miRNAs was quantified: miR-17, miR-192, miR-194, miR-204, miR-215, and miR-216. Results: mir-17 expression was significantly lower in children with congenital kidney anomalies than in the control group. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.700 for miR-17 in the prediction of congenital kidney anomalies. Conclusions: In children with congenital kidney anomalies, miR-17 expression was significantly different than in the control group. Thus, this miRNA may be used in the antenatal early detection of these congenital kidney anomalies.