Expression of microRNAs that regulate bone turnover in the serum of postmenopausal women with low bone mass and vertebral fractures.
BACKGROUND
Circulating microRNAs (miRs) are currently being investigated as novel biomarkers for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of specific microRNAs, known regulators of bone metabolism, in postmenopausal women with low bone mass and with or without vertebral fractures (VFs).


METHODS
For the analysis, 14 miRs were isolated from the serum of 35 postmenopausal women with low bone mass and with at least one moderate VF and 35 postmenopausal women with low bone mass without fractures. Thirty postmenopausal women with normal BMD values and no history of fractures served as controls. Main outcome parameters were changes in the expression of selected miRs in the serum of patient population and compared with controls.


RESULTS
From the 14 miRs that were selected, we identified 5 miRs, namely miR-21-5p, miR-23a, miR-29a-3p, miR-124-3p and miR-2861 that were significantly deregulated in the serum of patients with low bone mass compared with controls. Serum miR-124 and miR-2861 were significantly higher, whereas miR-21, miR-23 and miR-29 were lower in patients compared with controls. In a sub-group analysis of the patient population, the expression of miR-21-5p was significantly lower among osteoporotic/osteopenic women with VFs, showing 66% sensitivity and 77% specificity in distinguishing women with a vertebral fracture.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies a differential expression pattern of miR-21-5p in the serum of women with low BMD and VFs.
1st Department of Internal MedicineLaboratory of Clinical and Molecular Endocrinology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece margia@med.auth.gr.
Maria P
MP
Yavropoulou
Department of Endocrinology424 General Military Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Athanasios D
AD
Anastasilakis
Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes251 Hellenic Air Force & VA General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Polyzois
P
Makras
Department of Informatics and Telecommunication EngineeringUniversity of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece.
Dimitrios G
DG
Tsalikakis
1st Department of Internal MedicineLaboratory of Clinical and Molecular Endocrinology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Maria
M
Grammatiki
1st Department of Internal MedicineLaboratory of Clinical and Molecular Endocrinology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
John G
JG
Yovos
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000235:genetics*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000235:genetics; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000235:genetics*
C534451:MIRN20a microRNA, human; C524940:MIRN21 microRNA, human; C552430:MIRN23a microRNA, human; C583983:MIRN2861 microRNA, human; C532045:MIRN29a microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs