MicroRNA-22-3p is down-regulated in the plasma of Han Chinese patients with premature ovarian failure

ObjectiveTo determine whether plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) are differentially expressed between women with and without premature ovarian failure (POF), and to uncover the association of miRNAs with risk of POF.DesignMicroarray with real-time polymerase chain reaction validation.SettingUniversity hospital.Patient(s)A total of 140 individuals with premature ovarian failure (POF) and 140 age- and body mass index-matched control subjects of Han Chinese ancestry.Intervention(s)None.Main Outcome Measure(s)Relative miRNA expression levels in plasma of POF and control group.Result(s)Fifty-one differentially expressed miRNAs were identified by chip-based discovery stage between ten patients with POF and ten control subjects, among which nine miRNAs (let-7b-5p, let-7c, miR-15b-5p, miR-22-3p, miR-23a-3p, miR-23b-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-151a-5p, and miR-151b) were selected and validated. The relative expression level of miR-22-3p was significantly down-regulated in POF compared with control subjects. MiR-22-3p yielded a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area of 0.668 (95% confidence interval 0.602-0.733) in discriminating POF from controls. In addition, logistic binary regression analysis and linear regression analysis showed the miR-22-3p to be a protective factor for POF (odds ratio 0.766, 95% CI 0.643-0.912) and negatively associated with serum FSH. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis indicated that the target function of miR-22-3p was involved in apoptosis, endocytosis, and tumorigenesis.Conclusion(s)Mir-22-3p showed a lower expression level in POF and was modestly effective in distinguishing POF from control subjects. The decreased expression of miR-22-3p in plasma of POF may reflect the diminished ovarian reserve and be a consequence of the pathologic process of POF.