Circulating MicroRNA Is a Biomarker of Biliary Atresia

OBJECTIVE: The lack of reliable noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers of biliary atresia (BA) results in delayed diagnosis and worsened patient outcome. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of noninvasive biomarkers with encouraging diagnostic utility. METHODS: We examined the ability of serum miRNAs to distinguish BA from other forms of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. BA-specific serum miRNAs were identified using a microfluidic array platform and validated in a larger, independent sample set. RESULTS: The miR-200b/429 cluster was significantly increased in the sera of patients with BA relative to infants with non-BA cholestatic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating levels of the miR-200b/429 cluster are elevated in infants with BA and have promising diagnostic clinical performance.