MiR-19b-3p Serves as a Potential Diagnostic Biomarker for Parkinson's Disease

Background: Hundreds of miRNAs have been reported to be dysregulated in Parkinson's disease (PD), providing valuable assistance in improving its diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the expression and diagnostic value of miR-19b-3p in PD patients, as well as its relationship with inflammatory factors. Methods: We recruited 50 PD patients and 50 healthy age- and gender-matched controls and collected demographic data and biochemical parameters from both groups. RT-qPCR was used to detect miR-19b-3p levels in serum. ELISA was used to detect serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-19b-3p in PD patients. Results: Serum miR-19b-3p expression was downregulated in PD patients compared with healthy controls. A negative correlation was found between miR-19b-3p levels and the MDS-UPDRS score in PD patients (r =-0.686, p < 0.01). In ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve of miR-19b-3p for prediction of PD was 0.779. In PD patients, serum miR-19b-3p levels were negatively correlated with serum IL-1 beta (r =-0.556, p < 0.01) and TNF-alpha levels (r =-0.592, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Serum miR-19b-3p might serve as a diagnostic and predictive biomarker for PD. The association detected between miR-19b-3p and two common markers of inflammation (IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha) may suggest a role for miR-19b-3p in PD-associated neuroinflammation.