Circulating microRNA expression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

The elucidation of the genetic basis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can elucidate molecular mechanisms, understand the phenotypic differences and the different forms of presentation of IBD, the intensity, the extent and different therapeutic responses observed. In this scenario, is justified the assessment of circulating microRNA profiles in IBD research of their biological significance in disease as well as their possible use for the differentiation of active disease vs. inactive, its use in determining prognosis and as potential molecular targets for treatment of patients with IBD. A select group of miRNAs current is unregulated in patients with IBD and is able to differentiate between active disease vs. inactive. This project aims to: 1) determine the global expression profile of microRNAs in plasma or serum of patients with IBD 2) apply computational strategies to: (a) identify the likely target genes regulated by microRNAs altered in IBD; (b) integrate the microRNA expression data and its likely target genes and identify relevant genetic mechanisms in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; (c) correlating the microRNA expression profiles with clinical data of patients (active and inactive disease and other relevant data). (AU)