# Identification of candidate microRNA biomarkers of endometriosis in different bodily fluids

## TL;DR

This study identifies potential microRNA biomarkers in bodily fluids that could help diagnose endometriosis noninvasively.

## Contribution

The study profiles miRNA expression in serum, saliva, and vaginal mucus to identify novel noninvasive biomarkers for endometriosis.

## Key findings

- Serum showed the most abundant miRNAs, while saliva had the lowest.
- miR-200a-3p and miR-200b-3p in serum showed potential as diagnostic biomarkers.
- Enrichment analysis linked dysregulated miRNAs to apoptosis, Wnt signaling, and autophagy.

## Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic estrogen-dependent disorder affecting up to 10% of women of reproductive age, and the absence of reliable noninvasive diagnostic tools contributes to delayed diagnosis and disease progression. To identify potential biomarkers, we profiled miRNA expression in serum, saliva, and vaginal mucus from 20 women (10 with endometriosis and 10 controls) using next-generation sequencing. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, and their predicted targets underwent Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Serum proteomics by data-independent acquisition LC–MS/MS was integrated with miRNA data to construct potential miRNA–protein interaction networks. Distinct miRNA profiles were observed across the three bodily fluids, with serum showing the most abundant miRNAs and saliva the lowest. Thirteen, three, and six differentially expressed miRNAs were detected in serum, saliva, and vaginal mucus, respectively. Enrichment analysis implicated apoptosis, Wnt signaling, autophagy, and cellular senescence. Integrated analysis revealed 59 upregulated serum proteins targeted by dysregulated miRNAs, including WNK2, CD44, USP15, GNAI3, HUWE1, and NRAS. ROC analysis suggested that serum miR-200a-3p and miR-200b-3p, may have potential utility as noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of endometriosis, pending further validation.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-37277-5.