In cancer biomarker identification most of the studies uses serum, EVs, or plasma as as source of miRNA isolation and identification. Why whole blood is not used as a source? Whole blood miRNA profiles have more potential to show systemic changes as compare to plasma which has lower EV or circulating miRNA concentration. What is the probable reason for this discrimination for whole blood? how will it affect any clinical translational product scientifically?
Plasma is commonly used for miRNA (microRNA) identification as biomarkers due to several advantageous properties and characteristics: such as Non-Invasive Collection, Stability, reflection of Disease States, Circulating Nature, Quantifiable and Reproducible, Specificity and Sensitivity, Potential for Early Detection
Given these advantages, plasma serves as an excellent medium for miRNA biomarker discovery and application in clinical diagnostics and prognostics.
Dear Dr. Garima Jain
Plasma/serum miRNAs is preferred because of the ability of cell-free circulating miRNAs to mirror physiological and pathophysiological conditions as well as their high stability in stored patient samples underlying the potential of these molecules to serve as biomarkers for various diseases. Also, removal of cells decreases the heterogeneity of the readout.
On the other hand, whole blood contains different cell-types. So, whenever you quantify miRNA using total RNA extracted from whole blood, it will indicate miRNA expression of all the different cell-types present in whole blood. There is no way to recognize for the presence of miRNAs from erythrocytes and other cell-types. Cell counts will have to be considered for biological variation. High levels of blood cell miRNAs might conceal disease-specific patterns.
Regards,
Malcolm Nobre
Hi, Dr. Garima Jain
Plasma is used for miRNA (microRNA) identification as a biomarker because it offers several advantages:
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