Biochemical and molecular study on serum miRNA-16a and miRNA- 451 as neonatal sepsis biomarkers

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is the serious cause of fatality in the unit of medical-intensive care (ICU). Non-coding RNA transcripts are microRNA that control gene expression by repressing translation or degrading mRNA. There are several reports discussing the concept of using miRNAs as sepsis a biomarkers by profiling miRNA dysregulation in sepsis patients' blood samples. OBJECTIVES: The research was aimed at exploring the clinical utility of miRNA-16a and miRNA- 451 for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. SUBJECTS: and methods: This research was conducted on 50 full term neonates, 25 neonates with suspected or proven sepsis and 25 clinically healthy sex and age matched neonates with no evidence of sepsis. All newborns have been exposed to clinical review, history taking and laboratory investigations including total & differential count of blood cells, C-reactive protein, blood culture. Serum miRNA-16a and miRNA-451 levels have been assessed using Real Time polymerase chain reaction (Real Time PCR) technique. RESULTS: Neonates with sepsis had considerably higher levels of miRNA-16a and miRNA- 451 than the healthy neonates (p ≤ 0.001). Receiver operating curve (ROC) showed that serum miRNA-16a was superior to miRNA-451 for diagnosis of sepsis with neonatal origin; it had sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 98% versus 64% and 61% respectively. Cut off point for miRNA-16a to diagnose neonatal sepsis was above or equal 3.16. Also, cut off point for miRNA-451 was above or equal 1.26. miRNA-16 a and miRNA 451 expression was significantly correlated with respiratory rate, WBCs, and CRP. CONCLUSION: Both miRNA −16a and miRNA-451 are detected in higher levels in newborn with sepsis compared to controls. MiRNA- 16a could be considered as promising biomarkers for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.