Pathway analysis of miRNA revealing immunologic alteration in lymphocyte immune response and T cell differentiation in Fontan patients with protein-losing enteropathy. Pathway analysis of miRNA revealing immunologic alteration in lymphocyte immune response and T cell differentiation in Fontan patients with protein-losing enteropathy

Protein losing enteropathy (PLE) is a severe complication of Fontan circulation with increased morbidity and mortality. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanism leading to the development of PLE in Fontan patients remain largely unknown. We performed microarray-based microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling from whole blood to generate hypotheses about relevant pathways involved in PLE pathogenesis controlled by miRNA signature. Overall design: RNA was extracted of whole blood samples (PAXgene tubes) of 46 patients (n=10 Fontan patients with PLE, n=28 Fontan patients without PLE and n=8 patients with dextro tansposition of the great arteries (d-TGA). The miRNA microarray expression analysis was performed on GeneChip miRNA 4.1 microarray.