AUTHOR=Cirnigliaro Matilde , Barbagallo Cristina , Gulisano Mariangela , Domini Carla N. , Barone Rita , Barbagallo Davide , Ragusa Marco , Di Pietro Cinzia , Rizzo Renata , Purrello Michele TITLE=Expression and Regulatory Network Analysis of miR-140-3p, a New Potential Serum Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience VOLUME=10 YEAR=2017 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2017.00250 DOI=10.3389/fnmol.2017.00250 ISSN=1662-5099 ABSTRACT=
Given its prevalence and social impact, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is drawing much interest. Molecular basis of ASD is heterogeneous and only partially known. Many factors, including disorders comorbid with ASD, like TS (Tourette Syndrome), complicate ASD behavior-based diagnosis and make it vulnerable to bias. To further investigate ASD etiology and to identify potential biomarkers to support its precise diagnosis, we used TaqMan Low Density Array technology to profile serum miRNAs from ASD, TS, and TS+ASD patients, and unaffected controls (NCs). Through validation assays in 30 ASD, 24 TS, and 25 TS+ASD patients and 25 NCs, we demonstrated that miR-140-3p is upregulated in ASD vs.: NC, TS, and TS+ASD (Tukey's test,