MicroRNAs-424 and 206 are potential prognostic markers in spinal onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract Introduction Skeletal muscle microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential candidate biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that deserve further investigation. Objectives To identify miRNAs abnormally expressed in the skeletal muscle and plasma of patients with ALS, and to correlate them with parameters of disease progression. Methods Expression profile of miRNAs in muscle was evaluated using an array platform. Subsequently we assessed the plasmatic expression of candidate miRNAs in a set of 39 patients/39 controls. We employed generalized estimating equations to investigate correlations with clinical data. Results We identified 11 miRNAs differentially expressed in the muscle of ALS patients; of these, miR424, miR-214 and miR-206 were validated by qPCR in muscle samples. In plasma, we found only miR-424 and miR 206 to be overexpressed. Baseline expression of miR-424 and 206 correlated with clinical deterioration over time. Conclusion MiR-424 and miR-206 are potential prognostic markers for ALS.