# Low circulating miR-190a-5p predicts progression of chronic kidney disease

## TL;DR

Low levels of miR-190a-5p in the blood may predict progression of chronic kidney disease, suggesting it could be a new biomarker for kidney health.

## Contribution

miR-190a-5p is identified as a novel biomarker for predicting chronic kidney disease progression and reflecting tubular cell health.

## Key findings

- miR-190a-5p levels are significantly lower in diabetic patients with reduced kidney function.
- miR-190a-5p predicts disease progression in patients with no or moderate albuminuria.
- miR-190a-5p mimic treatment in mice reduced kidney injury and fibrosis.

## Abstract

MicroRNAs may act as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of chronic kidney disease and are functionally important in disease pathogenesis. To identify novel microRNA biomarkers, we performed small RNA-sequencing on plasma from individuals with type 2 diabetes, with and without chronic kidney disease. MiR-190a-5p abundance was significantly lower in the circulation of type 2 diabetic patients with reduced function compared to those with normal kidney function. In an independent cohort of patients with chronic kidney disease of diverse aetiology, miR-190a-5p abundance predicted disease progression in individuals with no or moderate albuminuria ( < 300 mg/mmol). miR-190a-5p expression in kidney biopsy tissue correlated with the level of miR-190a-5p in the circulation and with estimated glomerular filtration rate, tubular mass and negatively with histological fibrosis. Administration of a miR-190a-5p mimic in a murine ischaemia-reperfusion injury model in male mice reduced tubular injury and fibrosis and increased expression of genes associated with tubular health. Our analyses suggest that miR-190a-5p is a biomarker of tubular cell health, low circulating levels may predict chronic kidney disease progression independent of existing risk factors and strategies to preserve miR-190a-5p may be an effective treatment for restoring tubular cell health following kidney injury.

Chronic Kidney Disease affects 1 in 10 people worldwide with prevalence continuing to rise, thus there is a need to identify novel biomarkers that can add value to existing clinical and biochemical risk predictors. Here the authors identify miR190a-5p as potential indicator of kidney health and disease progression in patients with chronic kidney disease.