Expression Profile of Exosome-associated MicroRNA Derived from Human Red Blood Cell Suspensions During Storage: Predicting microRNA-1246 and microRNA-150-3p Exert Essential Roles in Transfusion-related Immunomodulation
Abstract Background: Transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM) can be caused by exosomes and microRNA (miRNA) is one of the critical functional components in exosomes. This study intends to investigate the differences in the expression of exosomal miRNAs in red blood cell (RBC) suspensions at different storage times, also the potential functions related to TRIM of the abundant miRNAs. Methods: Twenty-five bags of RBC suspensions were selected randomly, and exosomes were separated by ultracentrifugation at different storage times. Isolated exosomes were identified by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Western Blot (WB). Exosomal miRNA profiles were analyzed using genechip in 5 RBC suspension samples, and the miRNA expressions between different storage times were compared. For the statistically upregulated microRNAs, the bioinformation of their predicted target genes was analyzed. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to identify the miRNAs upregulated more than 10 folds at 5weeks storage time in 20 RBC suspension samples.Results: The detection of the gene chip showed most exosomal miRNAs were up-regulated as storage time increases. Compared to RBC suspensions stored for 1 week, that kept for 5 weeks had 539 differential miRNA expressions, among which 159 were significantly different (P<0.05) and 148 (93.08%) were up-regulated. For the bioinformatic analysis, significant immunoregulatory annotations related to thyroid hormone, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), focal adhesion, and ras signaling pathway were found. The top 17 miRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR, and the results showed miRNA-1246 and miRNA-150-3p were the most significantly enriched miRNAs (more than 150 folds during 5weeks storage).Conclusions: As storage time increased, various exosomal miRNAs in RBC suspensions accumulated and involved multiple immuno-signaling pathways. The predominantly accumulated miRNA-1246 and miRNA-150-3p were confirmed to participate in pro-inflammation responses and immune-regulation, which might exert essential roles in TRIM.