Abstract
Purpose :
Serum RNAs (mRNA, lncRNA, and miRNA) have gained significance as novel bio-markers for many diseases. However, these RNA biomarkers have not been discovered for PCV (naive, anti-VEGF responder and anti-VEGF non-responder) patients. We have attempted to discover known and novel RNA biomarkers in PCV patients in the above cohorts.
Methods :
Total RNA was extracted from whole blood of naive, responder (off treatment) and non-responder (on treatment) PCV patients. Responder and non-responders were identified by clinical (number of injections) and image data (SSOCT and colour fundus). Those who respond within 3 injections are responders (off treatment) and those who need more than 3 injections are non-responders (on treatment). Coding RNA and non-coding RNAs (LncRNA & miRNA) were sequenced (NGS; 3 samples for miRNA and one sample for mRNA and LncRNA) from these samples and data were analyzed using standard analysis pipelines; miRDeep2 tool was used to discover novel miRNAs.
Results :
We have identified a number of mRNA, LncRNA and miRNAs specifically expressed only in naive or responders or non-responders. Few of the miRNAs enriched in one cohort each is presented (See figure). Similarly, we have also identified cohort specific coding RNAs and LncRNAs. In addition, novel miRNAs were discovered (with significant tag densities mapping to novel miRNA) of which some miRNAs were restricted to any one cohort (See figure). Possibly, we are the first to discover differentially expressed known and novel RNAs in responders and non-responders which have the potential to be biomarkers for screening PCV patients.
Conclusions :
From the current study we have discovered known and novel coding RNA, LncRNA and miRNA specifically expressed in naive, responder and non-responder cohorts. Validation of these putative miRNA biomarkers is under progress. These putative RNA biomarkers have the potential in the fabrication of biosensors for screening patients prior to their treatment.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.