Objective: In the present work, we aimed to investigate the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in routine colonic biopsies obtained from patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (iPD) and to address their value as a diagnostic biomarker for PD and their contribution to PD onset and progression.
Background: Although the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) is considered a pathological hallmark of PD, more recent research suggested the additional affection of the enteric nervous system (ENS) since numerous biopsy and autopsy studies demonstrated Lewy-type synucleinopathy (LTS) in the ENS of iPD patients. In addition to these pathological findings, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as e.g. constipation are common in PD and sometimes appear years prior to the motor signs of the disease. The molecular and cellular mechanisms of GI dysfunction in PD remain elusive.
Method: Patients with PD (n = 13) and healthy controls (n = 17) were prospectively recruited to undergo routine colonic biopsies for cancer screening. Total RNA was extracted from the biopsy material and the expression of miRNAs was quantified by Illumina High-Throughput Sequencing.
Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant submucosal enrichment of the miRNA hsa-miR-486-5p in colonic biopsies from PD patients compared to the control subjects. The expression of miR-486-5p correlated with age and disease severity as measured by the UPDRS and H&Y scale. miRNA gene target analysis identified 301 gene targets that are affected by miR-486-5p. A follow-up associated target identification and pathway enrichment analysis further determined their role in distinct biological processes in the enteric nervous system (ENS).
Conclusion: Our results demonstrate an enrichment of miR-486-5p in routine colonic biopsies from PD patients and will support the examination of miR-486-5p as a PD biomarker and the significance of its gene targets for PD onset and progression.
References: n.a.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
A. Kurz, R. Kumar, C. Wenk, B. Nordhoff, J. Schirra, S. Donakonda, G. Höglinger, K. Bötzel, L. Holdt, T. Koeglsperger. miRNA sequencing from routine colonic biopsies reveals an enrichment of submucosal hsa-miRNA-486-5p in Parkinson’s disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2020; 35 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/mirna-sequencing-from-routine-colonic-biopsies-reveals-an-enrichment-of-submucosal-hsa-mirna-486-5p-in-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/mirna-sequencing-from-routine-colonic-biopsies-reveals-an-enrichment-of-submucosal-hsa-mirna-486-5p-in-parkinsons-disease/