Plant miRNA profile from pooled human serum samples. Plant miRNA profile from pooled human serum samples

Our previous studies have demonstrated that stable microRNAs (miRNAs) in mammalian serum and plasma are actively secreted from tissues and cells and can serve as a novel class of biomarkers for diseases, and act as signaling molecules in intercellular communication. Here, we report the surprising finding that exogenous plant miRNAs are present in the sera and tissues of various animals and that these exogenous plant miRNAs are primarily acquired orally, through food intake. Overall design: 8 pooled samples (each pooled from 10 healthy Chinese subjects, mean age 50.9 ± 7.9) was conducted in the Healthy Physical Examination Center of the Jinling Hospital.