Serum microRNA profile of moyamoya disease reveals the potential role of microRNAs in contributing to moyamoya disease pathogenesis

Objective Moyamoya disease(MMD) is a cerebrovascular disease characterized by progressive stenosis of the intracranial internal carotid arteries and their proximal branches.However,the etiology of this rare disease remains widely unknown.Serum microRNA profiles have been screened to identify novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis.The aim here is to identify important serum microRNAs that might play important roles in contributing to MMD pathogenesis.Methods microRNA microarray was performed to test the microRNA proles and microRNAs was selected to be validated by real-time polymerase chain(RT-PCR).The microRNAs involved in MMD pathogenesis were analyzed by gene ontology.Results microRNA array revealed 50 up-regulated and 44 down-regulated microRNAs in serum from MMD patients,which were confirmed by real-time PCR assay.Gene ontology(GO) analysis of biological process showed that these differentially expressed serum microRNAs were enriched in metabolic process.Conclusion This study identifies the serum microRNA signature in MMD.And protein expression of ring finger protein 213(RNF213) or breast cancer susceptibility gene complex subunit protein 3(BRCC3) are analyzed at the posttranscriptional level,respectively,which have been reported to lead to defective angiogenesis,thereby contributing to MMD pathogenesis.