MiRNA-320a is less expressed and miRNA-148a more expressed in preterm human milk compared to term human milk

Abstract Objectives To investigate whether there is a difference in the profile of miRNAs between human milk (HM) from mothers of preterm versus HM from mothers of full-term infants. Second goal is to assess biological functions or implication related to those differences in miRNAs expression. Methods Four of the highly expressed miRNAs in milk were detected by qRT-PCR. Milk derived exosomes were incubated with cells. The expression of miRNAs and target gene were detected by qRT-PCR. Results MiRNA-320 was more highly expressed in the colostrum of fullterm than in preterm HM. The expression of MiRNA-148 was higher in preterm mother's milk than of full-term colostrum. MiRNA-320 and MIRNA-148a expression were upregulated in cells incubated with milk exosomes, which lead to a decrease in their target genes FASN1 and DNMT1 respectivilly. Conclusions Alterations in miRNAs expression in HM can affect biologic function in infants and may serve as a nutritional therapeutic target.