Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential clinical application of the genetic marker microRNA (miRNA)-210 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The enrolled patients were divided into the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD groups. Healthy individuals were used as the controls. The mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the CSF and serum samples was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis, respectively. The expression of miRNA-210 in the CSF and serum was detected by RT-qPCR. The results revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF in the CSF and serum were decreased in the MCI and AD groups compared with those in the control group. The greater the severity of the dementia, the lower the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF. Similar to the trend observed for VEGF, the miRNA-210 expression in the CSF and serum decreased as the severity of the AD increased. miRNA-210 is thus not only indicative of AD pathogenesis, but may also provide novel insights into the prevention and treatment of the disease.
Highlights
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease, which is pathologically characterized by senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neural cell death
Expression levels of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein are decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD
To investigate the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of AD, the mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF in the CSF were detected with reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and western blot analysis, respectively
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease, which is pathologically characterized by senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neural cell death. VEGF can promote angiogenesis and increase the blood supply to support metabolic processes [3]. It has been found in a previous study that the expression of VEGF is altered in the occurrence and development of AD, which may be associated with the disease process [4]. VEGF has been observed to be one of the targets of miRNA‐210 [6], and a previous study has shown that the upregulation of miRNA‐210 can increase the expression of VEGF in kidney tissue [7]. Due to its stability and specificity, miRNA‐210 has been used as a genetic marker for the early diagnosis and treatment of VEGF‐associated diseases; the quantitative detection of miRNA‐210 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in AD, regarding the regulation of VEGF, has, to the best of our knowledge, not been fully elucidated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
