Effect and mechanism of miRNA on obstructive sleep apnea in children

Abstract

Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted increasing interest as biomarkers for the diagnosis of numerous human diseases; however, little is known about exosomal miRNAs in regard to pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The aim of this study was to identify exosomal miRNAs involved in OSAS and to determine their relative functions. Serum exosomal miRNA-expression patterns in pediatric OSAS patients and healthy donors were analyzed comprehensively via RNA sequencing, and differently expressed miRNAs were verified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The effect of the miRNAs on cell culture was measured by flow cytometry. Results revealed that 364 and 464 miRNAs were identified in normal and OSAS exosomes, respectively. Moreover, exosomal miR-664a-3p, miR-210, miR-21-3p, and miR-107 were significantly more downregulated in exosomes from OSAS than in those of healthy controls. These downregulated miRNAs were mainly involved in functions involving cell cycle, immune response, and cell proliferation and adhesion as well as pathways associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase, Wnt, and mammalian target rapamycin signaling. Furthermore, miR-107 promoted the arrest of the adenoid lymphocyte cycle at the G2/M phase. These data revealed several potential exosomal miRNA biomarkers and their associated functions and pathways. This study advanced the knowledge of OSAS exosome biology to facilitate the development of OSAS-specific exosome-based diagnostics and therapeutics.