Decreased urine miR-199-3p may be a potential biomarker for diabetic nephropathy via targeting zinc finger E-box-binding protein 1

Background: The current study aims to evaluate the expression pattern changes of miR-199-3p in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients and explore whether it could be used as a potential biomarker. Methods: Real time PCR analysis was performed to examine the level of miR-199-3p in normoalbuminuria group (diabetes mellitus [DM]), microalbuminuria group (DNE), macroalbuminuria group (DNC), and healthy controls. ROC analysis was carried out to determine whether urine miR-199-3p could be used as a potential biomarker. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the target gene of miR-199-3p. Results: Here we showed novel data that urine miR-199-3p was significantly decreased in the diabetes patients compared to healthy controls. Meanwhile, urine miR-199-3p was lowest in DNC group, lower in DNE group, but was relatively higher in DM group. Additionally, urine miR-199-3p level positively correlated with UAE level in both DNE group and DNC group. ROC analysis showed that the urine miR-199-3p may be used to differentiate DNE and DNC subjects from healthy controls and DM group. Besides, miR-199-3p could significantly suppress the relative luciferase activity of pmirGLO-ZEB1, indicating ZEB1 was a target gene of miR-199-3p. Conclusions: In summary, for the first time, we showed novel data that decreased urinary miR-199-3p could screen DN patients from DM patients and healthy controls, which may be a non-invasive biomarker for DN patients.