Clinical value of serum LncRNA MIAT in early diagnosis and prognosis assessment of traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the clinical significance of long non-coding RNA, myocardial infarction-associated transcript (MIAT), in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

Retrospective inclusion of TBI patients meeting clinical criteria with complete data, alongside healthy controls. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of the serum MIAT. Based on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, patients were categorized into mild, moderate, and severe TBI groups. The potential risk factors for severity were examined using logistic regression analysis. The one-year prognosis for TBI was determined using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score. The correlation of MIAT levels with GCS scores and GOS scores was determined using Pearson correlation analysis. The effect of MIAT on the severity and poor prognosis was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Lastly, the dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed the relationship between the MIAT and miR-221-3p.

RESULTS

110 patients with TBI and 106 healthy controls were included. Serum MIAT levels were strikingly higher in patients with TBI compared to controls, whereas miR-221-3p levels were lower. As the severity of TBI increases, the expression of MIAT gradually elevated. A notable negative correlation was observed between serum MIAT levels and both the GCS and GOS scores. MIAT levels were effective in distinguishing patients with moderate TBI from those with mild or severe TBI, with a sensitivity of 82.35 % and 88.64 % and a specificity of 86.67 % and 86.27 %. Furthermore, elevated MIAT levels, with a sensitivity of 85.00 % and a specificity of 75.56 %, can predict the clinical outcomes of patients with TBI. miR-221-3p levels were negatively correlated with MIAT expression in patients with TBI, and MIAT directly targeted miR-221-3p.

CONCLUSION

Serum MIAT could serve as a diagnostic marker of severity and may predict poor prognosis in patients with TBI. This study proposes fresh perspectives on the pursuit of biomarkers and the management of patients with TBI.