ABSTRACT
Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a respiratory disorder with multiple clinical outcomes and is now being recognized as a serious health concern across the globe. However, the mechanisms of its pathophysiology are still elusive. Also, to date, evidence of miRNA regulation of sleep apnea in the Indian sub-population is unknown. Methods: In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of certain potential obesity-linked miRNAs in OSA subjects. Seventy adult subjects (20 obese OSA, 20 non-obese OSA and 30 healthy) were selected for this study. Total RNA was extracted and the expression of miR-21, miR-27, miR-29 and let-7 (normalized with internal control RNU48) was analyzed by SYBR Green-based qPCR. Results: We selected miR-21, miR-27, miR-29 and let-7 for their documented role in obesity. Relative miRNA expression profiles revealed differential expressions of all four above mentioned miRNAs in both obese and non-obese OSA subjects compared to healthy controls. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between miRNA expression with obesity-associated parameters in OSA subjects. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the involvement of four miRNAs (miR-21, miR-27, miR-29 and let-7) as potential molecular players of obesity-associated OSA. Identification of miRNA targets and in-depth analysis of their molecular mechanism in disease pathogenesis is further warranted.
ABSTRACT
The mammalian oocyte is surrounded by an extra-cellular matrix, the zona pellucida (ZP), composed of three major glycoproteins (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3). The ZP glycoproteins, by virtue of their tissue specificity and critical role during mammalian fertilization, have emerged as potential candidate antigens for the development of an immunocontraceptive vaccine. Molecular characterization of ZP glycoproteins from several species, reveals a variable degree of homology among the deduced primary amino acid sequences, which provided an opportunity to undertake active immunization studies in heterologous animal models. Active immunization of various animal species with either native ZP glycoproteins or those obtained by recombinant DNA technology led to the inhibition of fertility. Thus ZP glycoproteins based immunocontraceptive vaccines offer an attractive proposition for controlling wild life population. To make it a practical proposition, additional research inputs are required to optimize and devise novel strategies for vaccine delivery. Observed ovarian dysfunction, often associated with immunization by ZP glycoproteins is one of the major stumbling blocks for their use in humans. Ongoing studies to delineate appropriate B cell epitopes of ZP glycoproteins that are devoid of oophoritogenic T-cell epitopes, which will inhibit fertility without concomitant oophoritis, will be critical to determine their feasibility for human use.