Elevated plasma miR-210 expression is associated with atypical genitalia in patients with 46,XY differences in sex development

Autor(es)

Elias, Felipe Martins ; Nishi, Mirian Yumi ; Palma Sircili, Maria Helena ; Bastista, Rafael Loch ; Gomes, Nathalia Lisboa ; Martins Ferrari, Maria Tereza ; Frade Costa, Elaine Maria ; Denes, Francisco Tibor ; Mendonca, Berenice Bilharinho ; Domenice, Sorahia

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: MOLECULAR GENETICS & GENOMIC MEDICINE; v. 10, n. 12, p. 12-pg., 2022-11-11.

Resumo

Background: Differences of sex development (DSD) is a term used for conditions in which the chromosomal, gonadal or phenotypical sex is atypical. 46,XY DSD patients frequently present undervirilized external genitalia. The expression of different miRNAs in many organs of the male genital system has been reported, and these miRNAs have been associated with testicular function and its disorders, but no description has been related to DSD conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the plasma expression of miR-210 in 46,XY DSD patients who presented atypical genitalia at birth. Methods: Eighteen 46,XY DSD patients who presented atypical genitalia (undescended testis and/or hypospadias, bifid scrotum or micropenis) at birth and 36 male control individuals were selected. Plasma levels of miR-210 and reference miR-23a were measured using RT-qPCR and the data were analysed by the 2(-Delta Ct) method. Results: MiR-210 plasma levels were significantly higher in 46,XY DSD patients with atypical genitalia than in male control subjects (p = 0.0024). A positive association between miR-210 levels and the presence of cryptorchidism and hypospadias (p = 0.0146 and p = 0.0223) was found in these patients. Significantly higher levels of miR-210 were observed in patients with 46,XY DSD and cryptorchidism than in control subjects (p = 0.0118). These results are in agreement with previous literature reports, in which increased levels of miR-210 expression were observed in human testicular tissue from adult males with undescended testes in comparison with samples of descended testes. Conclusion: Our study showed a positive association between the presence of atypical genitalia and plasma levels of miR-210 expression in the group of patients with 46,XY DSD of unknown aetiology studied. These findings contribute to reveal a new perspective on the role of miRNAs in the development of male external genitalia and the broad spectrum of phenotypes presented by patients with 46,XY DSD. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 10/51102-0 - Pesquisa de mutações nos genes BMP15 e GDF9 em mulheres portadoras de insuficiência ovariana prematura: desenvolvimento de metodologia para estudo funcional das mutações em células humanas de granulosa imorta
• Beneficiário: Mariza Augusta Gerdulo dos Santos
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 13/02162-8 - Patogênese molecular e caracterização de doenças monogênicas do desenvolvimento: um caminho para a medicina translacional
• Beneficiário: Berenice Bilharinho de Mendonça
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 05/04726-0 - Caracterização molecular das doenças endócrinas congênitas que afetam o crescimento e o desenvolvimento
• Beneficiário: Ana Claudia Latronico Xavier
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 18/02895-9 - Avaliação da influência de miRNAs na subvirilização de pacientes portadores de DDS 46,XY com diagnóstico indeterminado
• Beneficiário: Felipe Martins Elias
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado
• Processo FAPESP: 14/50137-5 - Caracterização molecular de doenças monogênicas do desenvolvimento por sequenciamento em larga escala
• Beneficiário: Berenice Bilharinho de Mendonça
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa Equipamentos Multiusuários