Pneumologie 2015; 69 - V178
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1544614

microRNAs as biomarkers in pneumonia and COPD-exacerbation – the Bioinflame study

K Griss 1, M Han 2, C Nell 3, W Bertrams 2, K Seidel 2, A Klemmer 3, A Sittka 2, S Hippenstiel 4, B Schmeck 3
  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, iLung – Institute for Lung Research, Philipps University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research
  • 2iLung – Institute for Lung Research, Philipps University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research
  • 3Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Philipps University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research
  • 4Department of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité Medical School Berlin

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of death due to infectious diseases worldwide. Important clinical challenges for differential diagnosis are acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD). miRNAs are small noncoding RNAs regulating the expression of single genes or groups of genes on the post-transcriptional level, e.g. implicated in infectious diseases. Our aim is to decipher the miRNA expression pattern in PBMCs of patients suffering from CAP or AE-COPD, addressing their potential value as biomarkers as well as functional agents.

In the Bioinflame study, healthy subjects and patients suffering from CAP or AE-COPD have been recruited. Serum protein markers and miRNA expression panels of peripheral blood mononuclear cells have been measured. In addition, the important CAP-pathogen S. pneumoniae was found to induce in vitro a complex pattern of miRNA expression changes in primary human macrophages. Upregulation of miR-146a seems to depend on TLR-2 engagement.

In conclusion, patients suffering from CAP or AE-COPD can be differentiated using a set of miRNAs or protein biomarkers in our study. Validation in bigger cohorts is necessary.