Exosomal miRNA Profiling in Liquid Biopsy of Vitreous in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Quick Facts

  • Publication title: Exosomal miRNA Profiling in Liquid Biopsy of Vitreous in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci
  • Year: 2025
  • DOI: 10.1167/iovs.66.9.24
  • PMID/PMCID: 40637511; PMC12255188

Research overview

This study profiled exosomal microRNAs (exo-miRNAs) in the vitreous humor (VH) of patients with PDR to elucidate their regulatory roles in PDR pathogenesis. These findings indicate that vitreous exo-miRNAs, specifically miR-204-5p and miR-486-5p, represent promising diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for PDR.

Key findings

Exosomes were isolated and characterized from VH samples.

Sequencing analysis identified 843 unique miRNAs, with 60 showing significant differential expression between PDR and control groups (28 upregulated and 32 downregulated).

The miR-451a and miR-486-5p were most upregulated; miR-204-5p and miR-211-5p were most downregulated.

Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed DEM target genes enriched in endocrine, metabolic, signaling transduction, and intercellular adhesion pathways, notably cGMP-PKG, mTOR, and cAMP pathways.

Study design

VH samples were obtained from 23 patients with PDR and 17 non-diabetic controls.

Exosomes were isolated using ultracentrifugation and characterized via transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and Western blot.

High-throughput sequencing identified differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), followed by target gene prediction and bioinformatic analyses.

Echo Biotech Role

Echo Biotech contributed EV isolation and purification, EV characterization, miRNA profiling/sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, qPCR validation.

Related platforms: Exoomics®

Related services and capabilities: Biofluid EV Isolation & Purification, EV Basic Characterization (TEM/NTA/WB), EV miRNA Profiling / Sequencing, qPCR Validation

References

Original publication: Exosomal miRNA Profiling in Liquid Biopsy of Vitreous in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Investigative ophthalmology & visual science. 2025. DOI: 10.1167/iovs.66.9.24. PMID/PMCID: 40637511; PMC12255188.