Differentially Expressed Urinary Exo-miRs and Clinical Outcomes in Kidney Recipients on Short-Term Tacrolimus Therapy: A Pilot Study

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> To analyze the expression of urinary exosome-derived miRNAs (exo-miRs) in kidney recipients on tacrolimus-based therapy. <b>Patients & methods:</b> Clinical and drug monitoring data were recorded from 23 kidney recipients. Expression of 93 exo-miRs was measured by quantitative PCR array and mRNA targets were explored. <b>Results:</b> 16 exo-miRs were differentially expressed, including marked upregulation of miR-155-5p, and downregulation of miR-223-3p and miR-1228-3p. Expression of miR-155-5p and miR-223-3p correlated with tacrolimus dose (p < 0.05), miR-223-3p with serum creatinine (p < 0.05), and miR-223-3p and miR-1228-3p with blood leukocytes (p < 0.05). 12 miRNAs have predicted targets involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, stress response, PIK3/AKT/mTOR and TGF-β signaling pathways. <b>Conclusion:</b> Differentially expressed urinary exo-miRs may be useful markers to monitor tacrolimus therapy and graft function in kidney transplantation.