Name: absolute quantification of plasma microrna levels in cynomolgus monkeys, using quantitative real-time reverse transcription pcr
Uploaded: 2018-02-12T13:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Absolute Quantification of Plasma MicroRNA Levels in Cynomolgus Monkeys, Using Quantitative Real-time Reverse Transcription PCR at JoVE.com

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

All experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.
1. Sample Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Collect blood (at least 0.5 mL) from the femoral vein of cynomolgus monkeys into EDTA 2K-containing tubes. 
	NOTE: Citrate and heparin are not acceptable because these anticoagulants inhibit subsequent PCR14,15.</li>
	<li>Place the collected samples immediately on ice and process for plasma...

<ol>
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Our comprehensive assessment provided a more rigorous statistical analysis of the extent of the dynamic range, which clearly indicated that the magnitude of variation between individual samples was extremely different among the miRNAs tested. Although these variations may be attributable to their small quantities in body fluids, it should be noted that these data reflect not only biological variations, but also technical variations. Most of the technical variation can be assessed by means of Cq values of the external con...

An increasing number of studies have been exploring microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers, or monitoring and detecting other diseases in nonclinical and clinical studies1,2,3. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) is one of the most common methods used to assess individual target miRNAs, because this technique is more sensitive than microarray4 and RNA sequencing based platforms5. In general, miRNA expression is measured relative to a reference sample using the &#916;Cq method6. This approach is appropriate for investigating physiological changes in target gene expression levels. However, relative quantification of circulating miRNAs has limited utility because of their small quantities. In addition, technical variation makes it difficult to compare the results from different studies, because different laboratories customize the RT-qPCR experimental protocols differently, which leads to inconsistent or even contradictory results from different studies7.
In view of the concerns mentioned above, absolute quantification might be more suitable for the assessment of the small quantities of miRNAs in body fluids. The absolute quantification method uses a standard curve generated from known concentrations of synthetic RNA oligonucleotides that are identical in sequence to the corresponding target miRNA8. The Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) Technical Committee on Genomics recently conducted comprehensive studies to compare the results of absolute measurements of plasma miRNAs, across multiple test sites. The results showed that using a standard protocol for the absolute quantitation of miRNAs yielded comparable results across the multiple test sites9. The RT-qPCR assay method described in the present study is almost identical to the HESI&#39;s standard protocol, which includes multiplexed analysis of multiple miRNA targets, and pre-amplification to aid the detection of low expression miRNAs.
In this study, a fixed volume (200 &#181;L) of EDTA-plasma prepared from the blood collected from the femoral vein of conscious cynomolgus monkeys (n = 50) was used10. The following protocol describes the procedure for the preparation of plasma samples, extraction of miRNA, and RT-qPCR, including pre-amplification. More importantly, additional technical information about the protocol has been included, so that the quantity of target miRNAs in the samples can be validated in combination with a well-qualified process. First, the standard curve of each miRNA was validated for its individual detection range, prior to its quantification in biological samples. Second, the quality of the current methodology was comprehensively evaluated by means of Cq values of an external control (cel-miR-238). Therefore, this platform yields more informative and reliable data for comparing results from different studies or laboratories.
The profiles of 8 miRNAs have been included in this report as representative results from the assay method described here. These miRNAs have been proposed as potential safety biomarkers associated with tissue injury to the liver (miR-122 and miR-192), heart (miR-1, miR-208a, miR-208b, and miR-499a), and skeletal muscle (miR-133a and miR-206) in rodents and humans3,11,12,13.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="697">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="39">
			<td height="39" style="height:39px;width:216px;">BD Microtainer tube (K2EDTA)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Becton, Dickinson and Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">365974</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">For blood collection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Eppendorf PCR Tubes, 0.2 mL</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Eppendorf</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">0030124359</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Eppendorf Safe-Lock micro test tubes&#160; 1.5 mL</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Eppendorf</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">0030120086</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Eppendorf Safe-Lock micro test tubes&#160; 2.0 mL</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Eppendorf</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">0030120094</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Synthetic oligonucleotide</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Hokkaido System Science</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">-</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Individual miRNA (0.2 &#956;mol,HPLC grade)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Tris-EDTA Buffer&#160; (pH 8.0)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Nippon Gene</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">314-90021</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">TE buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Buffer RPE</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">QIAGEN</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">-</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Contents in miRNeasy mini kit&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Buffer RWT</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">QIAGEN</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">-</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Contents in miRNeasy mini kit&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">miRNeasy Mini Kit</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">QIAGEN</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">217004</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Nuclease-Free Water&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">QIAGEN</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">129114</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">QIAzol Lysis Reagent</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">QIAGEN</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">-</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Contents in miRNeasy mini kit&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Syn-cel-miR-238-3p miScript miRNA Mimic&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">QIAGEN</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">219600</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">ID:MSY0000293, 5 nmol</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">SC Adapters</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">TAIGEN Bioscience Corporation</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">S0120</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">For RNA extraction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">VacEZor 36 Complete System</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">TAIGEN Bioscience Corporation</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">M3610</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">For RNA extraction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">7900HT Fast Real-Time PCR System</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4351405</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Fast 96-Well Block</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">GeneAmp PCR System 9700</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">9700</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">MicroAmp Fast Optical 96-Well Reaction Plate</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4346907</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">MicroAmp Optical Adhesive Film</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4311971</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4444557</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan MicroRNA Assays (cel-miR-238-3p)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4427975</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Assay ID: 000248</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan MicroRNA Assays (hsa-miR-122-5p)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4427975</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Assay ID: 002245</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan MicroRNA Assays (hsa-miR-133a-3p)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4427975</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Assay ID: 002246</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan MicroRNA Assays (hsa-miR-1-3p)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4427975</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Assay ID: 002222</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan MicroRNA Assays (hsa-miR-192-5p)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4427975</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Assay ID: 000491</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan MicroRNA Assays (hsa-miR-206)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4427975</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Assay ID: 000510</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan MicroRNA Assays (hsa-miR-208a-3p)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4427975</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Assay ID: 000511</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan MicroRNA Assays (hsa-miR-208b-3p)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4427975</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Assay ID: 002290</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan MicroRNA Assays (hsa-miR-499a-5p)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4427975</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Assay ID: 001352</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan MicroRNA Reverse 
			Transcription Kit</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4366597</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">TaqMan PreAmp Master Mix (2&#215;)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4391128</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Chloroform&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Wako Pure Chemicals</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">035-02616</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ethanol (99.5)</td>
			<td style="width:195px;">Wako Pure Chemicals</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">057-00456</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

absolute quantification of plasma microrna levels in cynomolgus monkeys, using quantitative real-time reverse transcription pcr

RT-qPCR is one of the most common methods to assess individual target miRNAs. MiRNAs levels are generally measured relative to a reference sample. This approach is appropriate for examining physiological changes in target gene expression levels. However, absolute quantification using better statistical analysis is preferable for a comprehensive assessment of gene expression levels. Absolute quantification is still not in common use. This report describes a protocol for measuring the absolute levels of plasma miRNA, using RT-qPCR with or without pre-amplification.
A fixed volume (200 &#181;L) of EDTA-plasma was prepared from the blood collected from the femoral vein of conscious cynomolgus monkeys (n = 50). Total RNA was extracted using commercially available system. Plasma miRNAs were quantified by probe-based RT-qPCR assays which contains miRNA-specific forward/reverse PCR primer and probe. Standard curves for absolute quantification were generated using commercially available synthetic RNA oligonucleotides. A synthetic cel-miR-238 was used as an external control for normalization and quality assessment. The miRNAs that showed quantification cycle (Cq) values above 35 were pre-amplified prior to the qPCR step.
Among the 8 miRNAs examined, miR-122, miR-133a, and miR-192 were detectable without pre-amplification, whereas miR-1, miR-206, and miR-499a required pre-amplification because of their low expression levels. MiR-208a and miR-208b were not detectable even after pre-amplification. Sample processing efficiency was evaluated by the Cq values of the spiked cel-miR-238. In this assay method, technical variation was estimated to be less than 3-fold and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 102 copy/&#181;L, for most of the examined miRNAs.
This protocol provides a better estimate of the quantity of plasma miRNAs, and allows quality assessment of corresponding data from different studies. Considering the low number of miRNAs in body fluids, pre-amplification is useful to enhance detection of poorly expressed miRNAs.

Workflow of miRNA assay by RT-qPCR and quality assessment 
Figure 1 shows the workflow of miRNA assay from blood samples using qPCR10. The quality of the experiments can be verified by including cel-miR-238 as an external control. This will reveal technical variations in RNA extraction and subsequent RT-qPCR processes. In this study, the mean &#177; SD of the Cq values computed from 50 samples was 21.0 &#...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Absolute Quantification of Plasma MicroRNA Levels in Cynomolgus Monkeys, Using Quantitative Real-time Reverse Transcription PCR at JoVE.com

Absolute Quantification of Plasma MicroRNA Levels in Cynomolgus Monkeys, Using Quantitative Real-time Reverse Transcription PCR

This report describes a protocol for measuring the absolute levels of plasma miRNA, using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR with or without pre-amplification. This protocol affords better understanding of the quantity of plasma miRNAs and allows qualitative assessment of corresponding data from different studies or laboratories.

RT-qPCR is one of the most common methods to assess individual target miRNAs. MiRNAs levels are generally measured relative to a reference sample. This ...

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