Aim
To explore the diagnostic value of serum-derived exosomal miRNAs and predict the roles of their target genes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on the expression of miRNAs in AD patients.
Conclusion
The dysregulation of serum exosomal microRNAs in patients with AD may promote the diagnosis of AD. The target genes of miRNAs may be involved in the occurrence and development of AD through various pathways.
Methods
We determined the relative concentration of exosomal miRNAs by High-throughput Second-generation Sequencing and real-time quantitative real-time PCR.
Results
71 AD patients and 71 ND subjects were collected. The study demonstrated that hsa-miR-125b-1-3p, hsa-miR-193a-5p, hsa-miR-378a-3p, hsa-miR-378i and hsa-miR-451a are differentially expressed in the serum-derived exosomes of AD patients compared with healthy subjects. According to ROC analysis, hsa-miR-125b-1-3p has an AUC of 0.765 in the AD group compared to the healthy group with a sensitivity and specificity of 82.1-67.7%, respectively. Enrichment analysis of its target genes showed that they were related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the Hippo signaling pathway and nervous system-related pathways. And, hsa-miR-451a had an AUC of 0.728 that differentiated the AD group from the healthy group with a sensitivity and specificity of 67.9% and 72.6%, respectively. Enrichment analysis of its target genes showed a relationship with cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.