Early Salivary and Tracheal aspirate miRNAs in Extremely Preterm Infants Predict BPD-related Pulmonary Hypertension

In a previous unbiased study, we identified a panel 16 miRNAs in tracheal aspirates (TA) that were differentially expressed in preterm infants with BPD-PH compared to those with BPD but no PH. To endotype molecular thumbprint of BPD-PH, we used unbiased multiomics approach and identified a panel of miRNAs, mRNAs, and proteins in tracheal aspirates (TA) and found 14 differentially expressed mIRNAs.

To explore to predictive potential of these miRNAs, we collected TA and extracted exosomes from extremely low gestational age infants (ELGANs) at 7 days of age and calculated the predictive AUROC of these miRNAs from TA exosomes to diagnose BPD-PH at 36 weeks PMA. AUROC of TA miRNAs was 0.89 with sensitivity and specificity of 77% and 81%, respectively. Due to challenges of obtaining TA in non-invasively ventilated infants, we collected saliva samples (SA) from ELGANs at 7 days of age and calculated the predictive AUROC of the same miRNAs to diagnose BPD-PH at 36 weeks PMA.