Circulating microRNA is a biomarker of biliary atresia.
OBJECTIVE
The lack of reliable noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers of biliary atresia (BA) results in delayed diagnosis and worsened patient outcome. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of noninvasive biomarkers with encouraging diagnostic utility.


METHODS
We examined the ability of serum miRNAs to distinguish BA from other forms of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. BA-specific serum miRNAs were identified using a microfluidic array platform and validated in a larger, independent sample set.


RESULTS
The miR-200b/429 cluster was significantly increased in the sera of patients with BA relative to infants with non-BA cholestatic disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Circulating levels of the miR-200b/429 cluster are elevated in infants with BA and have promising diagnostic clinical performance.
Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Adam M
AM
Zahm
Nicholas J
NJ
Hand
LaTasha A
LA
Boateng
Joshua R
JR
Friedman
D000818:Animals; D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D007223:Infant; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs