Extract
Since 2000, more than 400 000 babies worldwide have died of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a condition that is occurring as frequently as cystic fibrosis and characterised by underdeveloped lungs (pulmonary hypoplasia), persistent pulmonary hypertension and a diaphragmatic defect [1]. CDH can be diagnosed prenatally with ultrasound and fetal MRI, but outcome prediction and diagnostic accuracy remain imperfect [2]. The observed over expected lung-to-head (O/E LHR) ratio at 22–23 and 32–33 weeks of gestation is currently used to predict CDH outcomes [3]. A prenatal biomarker for the assessment of disease severity and prognostication has not been established yet. In contrast to cystic fibrosis, a common genetic cause has not been identified for CDH, suggesting that epigenetic and environmental factors are involved in the pathogenesis. We have previously discovered that microRNA 200b (miR-200b) is highly dysregulated in hypoplastic human CDH lungs and that miR-200b administration can serve as a prenatal therapy in an animal model for CDH [4, 5].
Abstract
Circular RNAs are dysregulated in lungs of congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients, a malformation of the lung and diaphragm. These results suggest that they can serve as prenatal biomarkers to improve prognostication and diagnostic accuracy. http://bit.ly/2Cz7Bzm
Footnotes
Support statement: This research was supported by funds to R. Keijzer from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Biology of Breathing Theme of the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. R. Keijzer is the recipient of a Career Enhancement Award from the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program and a New Investigator Salary Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Manitoba Lung Association and the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the CIHR. Funding information for this article has been deposited with the Crossref Funder Registry.
Conflict of interest: R. Wagner has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: A. Jha has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: L. Ayoub has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: S. Kahnamoui has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: D. Patel has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: T.H. Mahood has nothing to disclose
Conflict of interest: A.J. Halayko has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: M. Lacher has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: C.D. Pascoe has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: R. Keijzer has nothing to disclose.
- Received March 11, 2019.
- Accepted October 29, 2019.
- Copyright ©ERS 2020
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