Biomedical
Preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical considerations in circulating microRNAs measurement
Mustapha Zendjabil
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
Highlights • Methods used for miRNAs expression profiling are quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, microarrays, next generation sequencing and droplet digital PCR • To obtain reproducible and accurate miRNAs expression profiling detection, it is crucial to strictly standardize the entire process, starting from choosing the specimen type until the normalization strategy on the interpretation of miRNAs expression profiling detection •Due to the critical impact of the normalization strategy on the miRNAs expression, the choice of normalization agent is of great importance Microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) have emerged as a new category of biomarkers for many human diseases like cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. MicroRNAs can be detected in various body fluids including blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. However, the literature contains conflicting results for circulating miRNAs, which is the main barrier to using miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers. This variability in results is largely due to differences between studies in sample processing methodology, miRNA quantification and result normalization. The purpose of this review is to describe the various preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical factors that can impact miRNA detection accuracy and to propose recommendations for the standardization of circulating miRNAs measurement.
Key Questions
1. What is the primary objective of the study?
The study aims to identify and discuss the preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical factors that can impact the accuracy of circulating miRNA measurements.
2. What methodology was employed in the research?
The author conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature to evaluate the various factors affecting miRNA detection and to propose recommendations for standardizing measurement procedures.
3. What were the main findings of the study?
The study highlights that variability in miRNA measurement results is largely due to differences in sample processing, quantification methods, and normalization strategies. It emphasizes the importance of standardizing the entire process—from specimen collection to data analysis—to achieve reproducible and accurate miRNA expression profiling.
Summary
Zendjabil (2024) underscores the critical need for standardized procedures in circulating miRNA measurement to ensure reliable and accurate results. The review provides insights into the factors influencing miRNA detection and offers recommendations for standardization, aiming to enhance the utility of miRNAs as biomarkers in clinical settings.
