Search PubMed⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 40803257

Circulating miRNAs and inflammatory markers - Associations between miRNAs and cytokine levels point to miRNA-mediated sCD40L release from platelets.

Sandra Van der Auwera·Sabine Ameling·Anja Wiechert·Nele Friedrich·Matthias Nauck·Henry Völzke·Barbara M Bröker·Hans J Grabe·Uwe Völker
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are gaining increasing attention, particularly because of their involvement in immune-related signaling pathways. We investigated the association between 179 plasma-circulating miRNAs (Plasma Focus microRNA PCR Panel) and 47 cytokines ("MILLIPLEX® panel) in 692 participants of the population-based SHIP-TREND cohort (age range 21-79) and two additional cohorts to present a comprehensive map of miRNA-cytokine relations. Multivariate linear regression models identified Bonferroni-corrected significant associations between miRNAs and cytokines for EGF (pro-epidermal growth factor), PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB/BB (platelet-derived growth factor subunit A and B), VEGF-A (vascular endothelia growth factor A), and sCD40L (soluble CD40 ligand) with sCD40L showing the most robust pattern. These models were adjusted for age, sex, platelet count, BMI, smoking, and technical parameters. In the follow-up sample (N = 191, 7 years after initial sampling), we confirmed that the observed associations were stable over time and replicated our findings in an independent clinical cohort (N = 74). Furthermore, the causal mediation results provide evidence for the involvement of platelet activity in the regulation of sCD40L mediated by five miRNAs in the range of 25 %-69 % of the effect being mediated (strongest mediation for hsa-miR-223-3p). Our study highlights a strong and stable miRNA-mediated modulation of sCD40L, at the stage of platelet activation with potential subsequent effects on the interaction of immune cells and haemostasis pointing to a complex regulatory mechanism. Future research is needed to determine the clinical relevance of our observations in the context of vascular thrombosis, immunological disorders, and neurodegeneration.

Explore related subjects

HumansCD40 LigandMaleFemaleMiddle AgedBlood PlateletsAdultCytokinesMicroRNAsAgedBiomarkersCirculating MicroRNAInflammationYoung AdultCohort StudiesCirculating biomarkersPlatelet activationSHIP studymiRNA mediated sCD40L releasemiRNA-cytokine associationJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Sandra Van der Auwera, Sabine Ameling, Anja Wiechert, Nele Friedrich, Matthias Nauck, Henry Völzke, Barbara M Bröker, Hans J Grabe, Uwe Völker. 2025-08-12. Circulating miRNAs and inflammatory markers - Associations between miRNAs and cytokine levels point to miRNA-mediated sCD40L release from platelets.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2025.157012

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2027

Global Genomic Surveillance.

Global genomic surveillance has emerged as a foundational pillar of public health in the twenty-first century, enabling real-time tracking of pathogen evolution and informing outbreak response. This chapter examines the strategic architecture of global genomic surveillance, focusing on its application to arboviruses such as chikungunya virus (CHIKV). It explores the integration of genomic data with epidemiological, clinical, and environmental information within a One Health framework, while addressing critical challenges in governance, equity, and interoperability. The discussion covers the entire genomic surveillance workflow, from sample collection and sequencing to bioinformatic analysis and phylogenetic inference, and highlights the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predictive surveillance. By analyzing global initiatives, operational barriers, and emerging technologies, this chapter underscores the necessity of sustainable, equitable, and interoperable genomic systems to proactively address current and future infectious disease threats.

Humans↗
PubMed2027

Systematic Dissection of Key Driver Perturbation Signatures in Single Cells via ECCITE-seq.

CRISPR screens, such as expanded CRISPR-compatible cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (ECCITE-seq), enable the simultaneous measurement of transcriptomes, gRNA identity, and cell-surface protein expression at single-cell resolution to systematically interrogate gene function. This platform provides a powerful and scalable experimental approach for validating disease-associated regulators identified by large-scale association studies and other computational methods, including network-based analyses of multi-omics data. Here, as an example application, we describe an ECCITE-seq framework to characterize the transcriptomic consequences of perturbing multiple neuronal key driver genes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons. More broadly, by integrating customized pooled gRNA libraries with different CRISPR effectors across multiple cell types, this approach allows for the assessment of the regulatory impact of candidate genes implicated in development and disease processes.

Humans↗
PubMed2027

Identification of Genome-Wide Chromatin Structural Aberration in Cancer by Hi-C Analysis.

Aberrant three-dimensional genome organization is a hallmark of cancer, often driving oncogene activation through mechanisms such as enhancer hijacking. High-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) maps these interactions on a genome-wide scale. Unlike earlier dilution-based methods, in situ Hi-C performs proximity ligation within intact nuclei, minimizing random ligation noise and enabling fine-scale structure detection. This chapter describes an optimized in situ Hi-C protocol tailored for cancer cell lines using MboI digestion and biotin-mediated pull-down to generate high-complexity libraries. We further outline a computational workflow that extends beyond standard topological mapping of compartments and topologically associating domains to identify cancer-specific aberrations. Specifically, we focus on detecting chromosomal rearrangements (structural variants) and characterizing the distinct circular topology of extrachromosomal DNA. This integrated experimental and analytical framework provides the necessary tools to dissect the spatial dysregulation underlying tumor evolution.

Humans↗