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. 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.