Identifying human islet microRNAs associated with donor sex, age and body mass index

Abstract

SummaryHuman islets are widely used in research for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms leading to diabetes. Sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) are key donor traits influencing insulin secretion. Islet function is also regulated by an intricate network of microRNAs. Here, we profiled 754 microRNAs and 58,190 transcripts in up to 131 different human islet donor preparations (without diabetes) and assessed their association with donor traits. MicroRNA analyses identified miR-199a-5p and miR-214-3p associated with sex, age and BMI; miR-147b with sex and age; miR-378a-5p with sex and BMI; miR-542-3p, miR-34a-3p, miR-34a-5p, miR-497-5p and miR-99a-5p with age and BMI. There were 959 mRNA transcripts associated with sex (excluding those from sex-chromosomes), 940 with age and 418 with BMI. MicroRNA-199a-5p and miR-214-3p levels inversely associate with transcripts critical in islet function, metabolic regulation, and senescence. Our analyses identify human islet cell microRNAs influenced by donor traits.Graphical abstract