Serum microRNAs as potential biomarkers of mandibular prognathism

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine whether the expression levels of specific circulating serum microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with man- dibular prognathism (MP). METHODS: Sixty subjects in the early permanent denti- tion stage and 23 in the mixed dentition stage with MP were identified. Sixty-eight normal control subjects in the early permanent dentition stage and 24 in the mixed dentition stage were recruited for comparison. According to the microarray-based expression profiling, four serum miRNAs (let-7i-3p, miR-595, miR-16-2-3p, and miR-367-5p) were validated. RESULTS: In the MP groups, let-7i-3p was significantly over-expressed in subjects in the early permanent (P < 0.0005) and mixed (P < 0.001) dentitions, and miR- 595 was significantly under-expressed (P < 0.004) in sub- jects in the early permanent (P < 0.004) and mixed (P < 0.0005) dentitions, compared with normal control groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that let- 7i-3p and miR-595 were able to significantly discrimi- nate MP subjects from normal controls. CONCLUSION: Let-7i-3p and miR-595 could be poten- tial, non-invasive biomarkers for the accurate early detection and diagnosis of MP, which may result in improved clinical management.