Differential expression of miRNAs in IBD mucosa and intestinal fibroblasts: potential biomarkers for associated colorectal cancer

EMANUEL BARBIERA ROMERO; MALENA FERREYRA; MARÍA BELÉN POLO

Virtual

Congreso; Reunion conjunta; 2021

SAI SAIC SAFIS

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small and noncoding RNAs which have recently gained relevance for their role in IBD pathogenesis as epigenetic modifiers of gene expression. MiRNAs are believed to be involved in the gut inflammation in IBD and to be implicated in the transformation process from chronic inflammation to colorectal cancer (CRC). Besides, mucosal myofibroblasts are key stromal cells involved in IBD pathogenesis and in the CRC tumor micro-environment. miR-21-5p, miR-155-5p, and miR-31 have repeatedly been identified and seem to be the most studied miRNAs related to IBD. In this work, we aimed to study whether there is differential expression of miR-21-5p and miR-155-5p in IBD mucosa, and in intestinal fibroblasts from IBD patients, compared to CRC patients and healthy control intestinal mucosa, as potential early biomarkers to predict CRC outcome in patients with chronic intestinal inflammatory disorders.Total RNA was obtained from mucosal explants from IBD patients, healthy control patients, polyps biopsies and colon tumor biopsies. Intestinal fibroblasts were isolated from colon surgical pieces and primary cultures were established. cDNA from biopsies and/or fibroblasts was obtained and miR-21-5p and miR-155-5p expression was quantified by real time qPCR with specific primers.We detected higher expression levels of miR-21-5p in inflamed tissue compared to non-inflamed mucosa, as well as in tumor biopsies from CRC patients, whereas expression of miR-155-5p was lower in inflamed mucosa compared to non-inflamed mucosa, as well as in tumor biopsies from CRC patients compared with healthy patient biopsies. Further studies including more samples with different pathological features are underway, in order to confirm that the differential expression of these microRNAs could be a useful tool to predict IBD outcome to early prevent CRC onset.