Exosomal microRNas are novel circulating biomarkers in cigarette, waterpipe smokers, E-cigarette users and dual smokers.

Introduction:
This article presents a comprehensive analysis of plasma exosomal small RNa in smokers, vapers, and dual users of cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco. The study identifies and characterizes plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their RNa content, including microRNas, transfer RNas (tRNas), and PIWI-interacting RNas (piRNas). The findings suggest that these RNa molecules may serve as potential biomarkers for tobacco use and related lung diseases.

Key Points:

* The study analyzed plasma-derived EVs from smokers, vapers, dual users, and non-users/non-smokers (NS).
* Exosomal RNa was isolated and subjected to small RNa library preparation, sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis.
* The analysis revealed enrichment of various non-coding RNas, including microRNas, tRNas, piRNas, snoRNas, snRNas, Mt-tRNas, and other biotypes.
* Differential expression analysis showed significant changes in miRNas, tRNas, and piRNas across different pairwise comparisons.
* Seven microRNas were commonly differentially expressed in all smoking and vaping groups compared to NS.
* E-cig users had five microRNas specifically expressed, not found in other groups.
* Gene set enrichment analysis revealed significant changes in the top six enriched functions, including biological pathway, biological process, molecular function, cellular component, site of expression, and transcription factor.

Main Message:
The study suggests that plasma exosomal small RNa molecules, particularly microRNas, tRNas, and piRNas, could serve as potential biomarkers for tobacco use and related lung diseases. The differential expression patterns observed in smokers, vapers, and dual users compared to non-users/non-smokers highlight the potential of these molecules for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes.

Singh KP, Maremanda KP, Li D, Rahman I. Exosomal microRNas are novel circulating biomarkers in cigarette, waterpipe smokers, E-cigarette users and dual smokers. BMC medical genomics. 2020;13(1):128. doi:10.1186/s12920-020-00748-3