MicroRNA profiling in migraine without aura: pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs whose deregulation has been shown in several human diseases, including pain states and diseases associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. This study aimed at identifying differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in patients with 'migraine without aura' (MO), a pain condition whose link with CV risk remains debated.


METHODS
Fifteen female MO patients and 13 matching healthy controls underwent a circulating microRNA expression profiling. MiR-22, miR-26a, miR-26b, miR-27b, miR-29b, let-7b, miR-181a, miR-221, miR-30b, and miR-30e were selected for validation by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
In migraineurs versus controls, four miRNAs were differentially expressed: miR-27b was significantly up-regulated (q < 0.004), while miR-181a, let-7b, and miR-22 were significantly down-regulated (q ≤ 0.01). MiR-22 and let-7b down-regulation was also confirmed in circulating blood monocytes. A logistic regression model based on microRNA expression profile showed a high accuracy for identifying migraine (AUC of ROC curve: 0.956; P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
A specific circulating miRNAs profile is associated with migraine without aura. Remarkably, the same miRNAs are known to be modulated in the setting of atherosclerosis and stroke in humans. This study represents a first step towards further characterization of MO diagnosis/pathophysiology, also in relation to its link with cardiovascular risk.
a Emergency Department, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.|b Headache Center and Geriatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging , "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.
Emmanuele
E
Tafuri
c Geriatric Clinic and European Center of Excellence on Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Dyslipidemia, Center of Excellence on Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.|d Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians University , Munich , Germany.
Donato
D
Santovito
c Geriatric Clinic and European Center of Excellence on Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Dyslipidemia, Center of Excellence on Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.
Velia
V
de Nardis
c Geriatric Clinic and European Center of Excellence on Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Dyslipidemia, Center of Excellence on Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.
Pamela
P
Marcantonio
c Geriatric Clinic and European Center of Excellence on Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Dyslipidemia, Center of Excellence on Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.
Camilla
C
Paganelli
b Headache Center and Geriatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging , "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.|e Pathophysiology of Pain Laboratory, Center of Excellence on Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.
Giannapia
G
Affaitati
c Geriatric Clinic and European Center of Excellence on Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Dyslipidemia, Center of Excellence on Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.
Marco
M
Bucci
b Headache Center and Geriatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging , "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.|c Geriatric Clinic and European Center of Excellence on Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Dyslipidemia, Center of Excellence on Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.
Andrea
A
Mezzetti
b Headache Center and Geriatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging , "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.|e Pathophysiology of Pain Laboratory, Center of Excellence on Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.
Maria Adele
MA
Giamberardino
b Headache Center and Geriatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging , "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.|c Geriatric Clinic and European Center of Excellence on Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Dyslipidemia, Center of Excellence on Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.
Francesco
F
Cipollone
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D020326:Migraine without Aura / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012372:ROC Curve; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs
Cardiovascular risk; microRNA; migraine; migraine without aura