A Novel Platform for Discovery of Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs in Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure

Objective: To identify predictor microRNAs (miRNAs) from patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF).

Design: Systemic analysis of miRNA profiles from the endometrium of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Setting: University research institute, private IVF center, and molecular testing laboratory.

Patient(s): Twenty five infertile patients in the discovery cohort and 11 patients in the validation cohort.

Interventions(s): None.

Main Outcome Measure(s): A signature set of miRNA associated with the risk of RIF.

Result(s): We designed a reproductive disease-related PanelChip to access endometrium miRNA profiles in patients undergoing IVF. Three major miRNA signatures, including hsa-miR-20b-5p, hsa-miR-155-5p, and hsa-miR-718, were identified using infinite combination signature search algorithm analysis from 25 patients in the discovery cohort undergoing IVF. These miRNAs were used as biomarkers in the validation cohort of 11 patients. Finally, the 3-miRNA signature was capable of predicting patients with RIF with an accuracy >90%.

Conclusion(s): Our findings indicated that specific endometrial miRNAs can be applied as diagnostic biomarkers to predict RIF. Such information will definitely help to increase the success rate of implantation practice.