Poster Presentation Australasian RNA Biology and Biotechnology Association 2024 Conference

Serum microRNAs as new biomarkers for detecting subclinical hemolysis in the nonacute phase of G6PD deficiency (#155)

Duangdao Palasuwan 1 , Attakorn Palasuwan 2 , Kanyarat Boonpeng 3 , Kasem Kulkeaw 4 , Tsukuru Umemura 5
  1. Oxidation in Red Cell Disorders Research Unit, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  2. Oxidation in Red Cell Disorders Research Unit, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, ฺBangkok, Thailand
  3. Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, ฺBangkok, Thailand
  4. Siriraj Integrative Center for Neglected Parasitic Diseases, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, ฺBangkok, Thailand
  5. Graduate School, Department of Medical Technology and Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare, 137-1 Enokizu, Okawa 831- 8501, ๋Japan

Aim: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is one of the most common enzymopathies worldwide. Patients with G6PD deficiency are usually asymptomatic throughout their lives but can develop acute hemolysis after exposure to free radicals or certain medications. Therefore, it is important to evaluate G6PD activity to prevent acute hemolysis attack. The impact of G6PD deficiency on circulating miRNA profiles is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of serum miRNAs as new biomarkers for detecting hemolysis in G6PD deficiency and predicting the severity of disease.

Method:  Eight subjects with the G6PD Viangchan (871G>A) variant and eleven subjects with wild-type G6PD were enrolled in this study. Eight of eleven subjects with the Viangchan variant had severe G6PD deficiency, and five had the moderate form of the disease. Serum obtained from clotted whole blood was subjected to miRNA analysis. miRNA was analysed using the reverse transcriptase-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‒qPCR) method.

Results: The levels of serum miR-451a, miR-16, and miR-155 were significantly increased in patients with severe G6PD deficiency. In addition, a set of three miRNAs differentiated G6PD-deficient patients from normal G6PD individuals through 3D analysis.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the set of three miRNAs (miR-451a, miR-16, and miR-155) may serve as a potential biomarker for patients in the nonhemolytic phase of G6PD deficiency. miRNA-based prognostic biomarkers can be utilized from the laboratory bench to the bedside for preventing and controlling G6PD deficiency.