MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level by silencing targeted messenger RNA (mRNA). Most studies concerning miRNA expression use solid tissue samples. However, circulating miRNAs from different body fluids have recently emerged as diagnostic and prognostic molecules, given that they hold informative value and have increased stability in cell-free form. Blood sampling of cats can be challenging given their small body size and because they often experience distress when handled. We quantified miR-20a, -192, -365, -15b-5p, and -16-5p from plasma and serum samples of 10 healthy domestic cats. Our RT-rtPCR procedure used 100 µL of either plasma or serum samples as sources of biomarker molecules. However, serum provided higher amounts of miRNA than plasma samples, with a p < 0.0001 for miR-20a and p < 0.0002 for miR-16-5p.

MicroRNA (miRNA) 是小的非编码 RNA，通过沉默靶向信使 RNA (mRNA) 在转录后水平调节基因表达。大多数关于 miRNA 表达的研究使用实体组织样本。然而，来自不同体液的循环 miRNA 最近已成为诊断和预后分子，因为它们具有信息价值并且在无细胞形式下具有更高的稳定性。鉴于猫的体型较小，并且在处理时经常感到痛苦，因此对猫进行血液采样可能具有挑战性。我们从 10 只健康家猫的血浆和血清样本中量化了 miR-20a、-192、-365、-15b-5p 和 -16-5p。我们的 RT-rtPCR 程序使用 100 µL 血浆或血清样品作为生物标志物分子的来源。然而，血清提供的 miRNA 量高于血浆样品，P <  0.0001的miR-20a和P <  0.0002的miR-16-5p。