MicroRNA Profiling Reveals Distinct Signatures in Degenerative Rotator Cuff Pathologies

This study investigates the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in shoulder joint disorders, specifically rotator cuff tendinopathy and tears. MicroRNAs are small molecules that regulate gene expression and are involved in inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. The researchers analyzed blood samples from patients with and without shoulder pathologies to identify specific miRNAs associated with these conditions. They then verified the expression of these miRNAs in tendon biopsy samples. The study identified several miRNAs that are progressively deregulated in patients with chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy or degenerative rotator cuff tears. These miRNAs could potentially serve as biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting the progression of these conditions.

• 1
  Six miRNAs (hsa-miR-19b-3p, hsa-miR-192-5p, hsa-miR-25-3p, hsa-miR-19a-3p, hsa-miR-18b-5p, hsa-miR-93-5p) were exclusively repressed in patients with degenerative RCTs compared to controls and chronic tendinopathy.
• 2
  Six miRNAs (hsa-miR-30a-5p, hsa-miR-324-3p, hsa-miR-210-3p, hsa-miR-140-3p, hsa-miR-425-5p, hsa-miR-222-3p) showed differential expression in both degenerative RCT and chronic tendinopathy serum samples compared to controls.
• 3
  Candidate miRNAs found to be repressed in serum samples were also significantly repressed in tendon biopsy samples, suggesting a correlation between systemic and local miRNA expression.