Molecular beacon-based detection of circulating microRNA-containing extracellular vesicle as an α-synucleinopathy biomarker

Sci Adv. 2024 May 17;10(20):eadl6442. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adl6442. Epub 2024 May 15.

Abstract

Early and precise diagnosis of α-synucleinopathies is challenging but critical. In this study, we developed a molecular beacon-based assay to evaluate microRNA-containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) in plasma. We recruited 1203 participants including healthy controls (HCs) and patients with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), α-synucleinopathies, or non-α-synucleinopathies from eight centers across China. Plasma miR-44438-containing EV levels were significantly increased in α-synucleinopathies, including those in the prodromal stage (e.g., iRBD), compared to both non-α-synucleinopathy patients and HCs. However, there are no significant differences between Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy. The miR-44438-containing EV levels negatively correlated with age and the Hoehn and Yahr stage of PD patients, suggesting a potential association with disease progression. Furthermore, a longitudinal analysis over 16.3 months demonstrated a significant decline in miR-44438-containing EV levels in patients with PD. These results highlight the potential of plasma miR-44438-containing EV as a biomarker for early detection and progress monitoring of α-synucleinopathies.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers* / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Circulating MicroRNA* / blood
  • Extracellular Vesicles* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple System Atrophy / blood
  • Multiple System Atrophy / diagnosis
  • Parkinson Disease* / blood
  • Parkinson Disease* / diagnosis
  • Synucleinopathies* / blood
  • Synucleinopathies* / diagnosis
  • alpha-Synuclein / blood