Differential regulation of serum microRNA expression by HNF1β and HNF1α transcription factors

Aims/hypothesis We aimed to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) under transcriptional control of the HNF1β transcription factor, and investigate whether its effect manifests in serum. Methods The Polish cohort ( N = 60) consisted of 11 patients with HNF1B -MODY, 17 with HNF1A -MODY, 13 with GCK -MODY, an HbA 1c -matched type 1 diabetic group ( n = 9) and ten healthy controls. Replication was performed in 61 clinically-matched British patients mirroring the groups in the Polish cohort. The Polish cohort underwent miRNA serum level profiling with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) arrays to identify differentially expressed miRNAs. Validation was performed using qPCR. To determine whether serum content reflects alterations at a cellular level, we quantified miRNA levels in a human hepatocyte cell line (HepG2) with small interfering RNA knockdowns of HNF1α or HNF1β. Results Significant differences (adjusted p