Association of micro RNA with a deficiency of protein C in children with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction

Objective To explore the relationship between micro RNA and protein C deficiency in children with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. Methods From December 2013 to April 2016, 53 children with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction underwent Rex shunt and received postoperative follow-ups. There were 32 boys and 21 girls with an age range of 0.9-12.6 years. Blood samples were collected pre- and post-operatively. Eighteen blood samples from children with inguinal hernia pre-operatively were used as control group 1. Serum concentration of protein C was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). As compared with control group 1, children with a lower pre- and post-operative level of protein C, not caused by postoperative decreased hepatopetal blood flow or family factors, were regarded as study group. Furthermore, the same amounts of blood samples from children with inguinal hernia were used as control group 2. Firstly the level of activated protein C (APC) was compared between study group and control group 2. Then the expressions of miR-204-5p, miR-211-5p, miR-218-5p, miR-802, miR-124-3p, miR-506-3p and protein C mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR and compared between two groups. Lastly the correlation between the expressions of protein C mRNA and miRNA was analyzed. Results There was 6 children in study group (4 boys and 2 girls, 3.1-12.6 years old) and 6 children with inguinal hernia (6 boys, 2-5 years old) was used as control group 2. The level of APC was significantly lower in study group than that in control group 2 [(4 102.33±154.35) vs. (5 357.42±479.49) pg/ml, P<0.01]. The expressions of miR-124-3p and miR-506-3p were significantly higher in study group than that in control group 2 (P<0.05) and the expression of protein C mRNA was significantly lower in study group than that in control group 2 (P<0.05). A significant negative correlation existed between the expressions of miR-211-5p, miR-802, miR-124-3p and miR-506-3p and the expression of protein C mRNA in study group (P<0.05). Conclusions The high expressions of miR-124-3p and miR-506-3p were correlated with deficiency of protein C in children with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. And it may suppress the expression of protein C mRNA. Key words: micro RNA; Anticoagulant protein; Extra-hepatic portal venous obstruction