MicroRNA expression profiles of whole blood in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major and an increasingly prevalent health problem worldwide. Studies have shown that MicroRNA involved in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases. MicroRNA upregulation and downregulation effectively regulate the biological processes of these diseases. Little is known about the microRNA (miRNA) expression of COPD. Identifying expression patterns of miRNAs in COPD may enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of disease. Methods: We selected 72 samples and measured the expression of 13 miRNAs using quantitative reverse-transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Between patients with COPD and healthy control subjects, we found the expression of seven miRNAs was significantly in Li population (P < 0.05). We did not found miRNAs were under-expressed in COPD patients of Li population. In Han population there have only one miRNA (hsa-miR-196b-5p) were under-expressed of COPD patients. We analyzed the miRNA expression of the patients with COPD and health controls for differentially expressed miRNAs in smokers versus nonsmokers. We have not found any miRNAs were significantly. Conclusion: Our findings showed miRNA dysregulation in COPD and its relation to established molecular backgrounds. These findings may reveal important insights into the pathogenesis of COPD.