MicroRNA expression profile during different conditions of hypoxia

INTRODUCTION: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non coding RNAs which play a role in several cellular processes. MiRNA expression is influenced by oxidative stress, inflammatory cascade and hypoxia. Effects of different types of hypoxia (intermittent and chronic) have been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate how intermittent and chronic hypoxia influence the expression of a pool of miRNAs. RESULTS: Subjects with HI presented higher levels of miR-21, miR-23b, miR-145 and miR-210 compared to the other groups, while higher levels of miR-26 was observed in the HC group. Subjects with HCHI had lower levels of all selected miRNAs. A strong correlation was found between miR-23b and miR-210 and both correlated with PaO2, age and FEV1. MiR-145 is correlated with miR-21 but no correlations were found with other parameters. The level of miR-26a seems to be correlated only with BMI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used RT-PCR to detect the miRNAs expression in three different models of hypoxemia: intermittent (HI), chronic (HC) and both of them (HCHI). Expression of miRNAs was analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc analysis, moreover, Spearman correlation and Cluster analysis were applied to study the relationship between miRNAs and main clinical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent hypoxia induces the expression of some miRNAs more than chronic hypoxia. These miRNAs may play an important role in the development of different diseases usually associated with OSA such as cardiovascular disease. In addition, mechanisms involved in cancer progression may be induced in the presence of chronic and more often intermittent hypoxia.