Serum microRNAs as potential biomarkers of mandibular prognathism

Objectives The aim of the study was to determine whether the expression levels of specific circulating serum microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with mandibular prognathism (MP). Methods Sixty subjects in the early permanent dentition stage and 23 in the mixed dentition stage with MP were identified. Sixty-eight normal control subjects in the early permanent dentition stage and 24 in the mixed dentition stage were recruited for comparison. According to the microarray-based expression profiling, four serum miRNAs (let-7i-3p, miR-595, miR-16-2-3p, and miR-367-5p) were validated. Results In the MP groups, let-7i-3p was significantly over-expressed in subjects in the early permanent (P < 0.0005) and mixed (P < 0.001) dentitions, and miR-595 was significantly under-expressed (P < 0.004) in subjects in the early permanent (P < 0.004) and mixed (P < 0.0005) dentitions, compared with normal control groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that let-7i-3p and miR-595 were able to significantly discriminate MP subjects from normal controls. Conclusion Let-7i-3p and miR-595 could be potential, non-invasive biomarkers for the accurate early detection and diagnosis of MP, which may result in improved clinical management.