MiR-122-5p and miR-326-3p: Potential novel biomarkers for early detection of cadmium exposure

Gene. 2020 Jan 15:724:144156. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.144156. Epub 2019 Oct 15.

Abstract

Cadmium is a common environmental and occupational pollutant and can produce toxic effects in a range of organs, especially in kidneys, after long-term exposure. MicroRNAs are ideal candidate biomarkers for various types of disorders, including renal diseases. In this study, we profiled the global miRNA expressions in rat kidneys using miRNA microarrays and found a collection of differentially expressed miRNAs induced by cadmium exposure. Among all of the candidate miRNAs, we identified miR-122-5p and miR-326-3p as early biomarkers for cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity. The two-miRNA signature was validated by quantitative real-time PCR in HK-2 and NRK-52E cells, rat kidney, serum and urine samples, and serum of an occupational population. Our results indicate that miR-122-5p and miR-326-3p may be potential biomarkers for cadmium exposure.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Cadmium; Nephrotoxicity; miR-122-5p; miR-326-3p.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cadmium / toxicity*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Environmental Biomarkers / genetics*
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis*
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney / drug effects*
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / analysis*
  • MicroRNAs / blood
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Environmental Biomarkers
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • MIRN122 microRNA, human
  • MIRN122 microRNA, rat
  • MIRN326 microRNA, human
  • MIRN326 microRNA, rat
  • MicroRNAs
  • Cadmium