%0 Journal Article
%T Molecular beacon-based detection of circulating microRNA-containing extracellular vesicle as an α-synucleinopathy biomarker.
%A Yu Z
%A Zheng Y
%A Cai H
%A Li S
%A Liu G
%A Kou W
%A Yang C
%A Cao S
%A Chen L
%A Liu X
%A Wan Z
%A Zhang N
%A Li X
%A Cui G
%A Chang Y
%A Huang Y
%A Lv H
%A Feng T
%J Sci Adv
%V 10
%N 20
%D 2024 May 17
%M 38748787
%F 14.957
%R 10.1126/sciadv.adl6442
%X Early and precise diagnosis of α-synucleinopathies is challenging but critical. In this study, we developed a molecular beacon-based assay to evaluate microRNA-containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) in plasma. We recruited 1203 participants including healthy controls (HCs) and patients with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), α-synucleinopathies, or non-α-synucleinopathies from eight centers across China. Plasma miR-44438-containing EV levels were significantly increased in α-synucleinopathies, including those in the prodromal stage (e.g., iRBD), compared to both non-α-synucleinopathy patients and HCs. However, there are no significant differences between Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy. The miR-44438-containing EV levels negatively correlated with age and the Hoehn and Yahr stage of PD patients, suggesting a potential association with disease progression. Furthermore, a longitudinal analysis over 16.3 months demonstrated a significant decline in miR-44438-containing EV levels in patients with PD. These results highlight the potential of plasma miR-44438-containing EV as a biomarker for early detection and progress monitoring of α-synucleinopathies.