Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access

Micro RNAs in tears as biomarkers for monitoring primary open-angle glaucoma

5^th International Conference on Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology

August 04-06, 2015 Valencia, Spain

Maria Dolores Pinazo Duran, Carmen Galbis-Estrada, Carla Marco-Ramirez, Maria J Gamborino, Maria Orti and Vicente Zanon-Moreno

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Exp Ophthalmol

Abstract :

Purpose: To utilize the tear film as biological source of micro RNAs (miRNAs) in orderto analyze its profile in relation to primary
open angle glaucoma (POAG).
Material & Methods: A total of 30 participants (POAG patients (GG; n=15) and matched healthy controls (CG; n=15)) were
interviewed, ophthalmologically examined and extracted their reflex tears atraumatically from the inferior meniscus (20-30 microL)
with a Pasteur micropipette that were stored at -80º until processing. The mercury TM RNA isolation kit (Exiqon, Denmark) was used
for RNA extraction. The SPSS 15.0 program was used for statistical analysis by integrating all variables.
Results: Mean age of the participants was 70±2 years in the GG vs 68±2 years in the CG. We extracted RNA from the pooled tear film
samples and its quality was evaluated using Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100. Then, pure RNA (<200 nucleotides) was utilized to generate a
sequencing library for small RNAs. It was obtained significantly higher purified RNA in tears from the GG as compared to the CG
[11±1 ng/mL vs. 8±2 ng/mL of pure RNA respectively (p<0.001)]. By next generation sequencing it has been detected a high variety
of matured miRNAs with a differential expression profile in tears from both groups of participants.
Conclusions: Tear film sampling is a non-invasive, relatively simple and efficient process for glaucoma research. The miRNAs obtained
from tears can be used for quantitative and qualitative assays to improve knowledge on the molecular basis of POAG. The possibility
remain that specific miRNAs can be used as biomarkers for better monitoring the diagnosis and therapy of the glaucomatous patients.

Biography :

Maria D Pinazo-Duran received her medical degree and gained PhD at the University of Valencia (Spain), this latter on the subject of developmental neurodevelopment
and toxicology of the visual system, mainly the effects of drug and alcohol exposures. She is the foundational member of the Spanish Society of Developmental Biology
and from the Spanish Glial Net. She is active member of various professional societies and reviewer of international journals. She is the Founder and Managing Director of
the Ophthalmology Research Unit “Santiago Grisolia” in Valencia. Currently she is General Research Coordinator of the Health Department Valencia- University Hospital
Dr. Peset (Valencia-Spain).