MicroRNAs in idiopathic childhood nephrotic syndrome

miRNAs are non-coding RNA that are recognized as biomarkers of kidney disorders. There is limited information on the differential expression of miRNA and their target genes in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood. We enrolled patients, 2-18 years old, with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome, either at onset or during relapse, and steroid-resistant disease, at diagnosis of steroid-resistance. Patients with steroid-sensitive disease were off immunosuppressive medications, while those with steroid-resistance were on therapy with prednisolone at enrollment. Controls were healthy children attending the hospital for vaccinations or for minor non-infectious, non-kidney ailments. Following RNA extraction from whole blood, differential expression of 2549 miRNAs was examined to identify differentially expressed miRNA, defined as those with absolute log fold change > 2 and adjusted P