microRNA Testing for Identification of Personalized Weight Management

Obesity is increasing exponentially in the United States (US), and over 160 million Americans are either overweight or obese. A combined diet and exercise program is the most cost-effective alternative for weight management, but there is a considerable inter-individual variability in losing weight via this method, which leaves many individuals frustrated and unable to adhere to programs throughout the lifespan. Therefore, the inability to identify the individuals who will likely succeed with diet and exercise for weight management is a critical roadblock to treating obesity. Recent studies have shown that significant variability in weight loss response to diet and exercise could be attributed in part to individual epigenetic makeup. One potential approach for monitoring the epigenetic response during weight-loss interventions is small non-coding circulating RNAs, called microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), in the circulating blood. Studies have shown that miR-140 and 935 could be used as blood biomarkers to identify individuals who will succeed in managing their weight through diet and exercise. Moreover, during a short diet and exercise intervention, fluctuations of expression levels of biomarker miRNAs pre- and post-intervention have produced unique signature changes only in the individuals who continued the intervention for an extended period of time and attained a healthy body weight. Thus, if implemented early in a medical weight loss program it could allow for the patient to have a focused individualized treatment.

A major barrier that prevents the use of miRNAs in weight loss interventions is the inability of accurately quantifying miR-140 and 935 levels in blood samples. To minimize the miRNA contamination from red-blood cell lysis, miRNA analysis must be performed within 30 minutes of blood draw. Current miRNA detection and quantification technologies take hours/days to quantify miRNAs, require bulky equipment, and are expensive. In addition, current miRNA detection methods do not have sufficient sensitivity, detection span and specificity for clinical sample analysis. To address this need, PI. Nawarathna has recently developed a highly sensitive disposable miRNA sensor that can quantify miRNAs in point-of-care settings within 15 minutes with an assay cost of $50 per test. However, the effectiveness of the developed miRNA sensor to accurately quantify the variations of target miRNA levels (miR-140 and 935) pre- and post-diet and exercise intervention is unknown.

The objective of the proposed work is to investigate the efficacy of this miRNA sensor as a potential diagnostic device in weight management. If successful, the impact of proposed the research is two-fold: first, development of a point-of-care diagnostic device (miRNA sensor) for providing a personalized strategy for weight management (diet and exercise or bariatric surgery) and second, ability to immediately expand miRNA detection to measure other factors that can impact overall well-being (e.g.: mental and emotional health, stress, and fatigue) and diseases (e.g.: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and others). The objective of the proposed research will be achieved through following this specific aim:

Aim: To investigate if the miRNA sensor is capable of identifying individuals who will consistently lose weight with energy restricted diet and exercise intervention.

The proposed research will develop a pilot study with overweight individuals as participants. Subjects will participate in the diet and exercise intervention for 12 weeks and miRNA analysis will be performed at 3 time points during the intervention (pre-mid-post). We will then investigate the effectiveness of the sensor.

The miRNA sensor technology, once fully developed, will be similar to a finger prick glucose monitor. Once commercially available, miRNA sensors can be purchased and used for diagnostic applications in clinics or self-testing at home or remote and rural area clinics and hospitals. Therefore, the outcomes will fundamentally advance how the individualized weight management method is selected. For this reason, this research has a positive translational impact on human health.