Evidence for plant-derived xenomiRs based on a large-scale analysis of public small RNA sequencing data from human samples.

ABSTRACT: In recent years, an increasing number of studies have reported the presence of plant miRNAs in human samples, which resulted in a hypothesis asserting the existence of plant-derived exogenous microRNA (xenomiR). However, this hypothesis is not widely accepted in the scientific community due to possible sample contamination and the small sample size with lack of rigorous statistical analysis. This study provides a systematic statistical test that can validate (or invalidate) the plant-derived xenomiR hypothesis by analyzing 388 small RNA sequencing data from human samples in 11 types of body fluids/tissues. A total of 166 types of plant miRNAs were found in at least one human sample, of which 14 plant miRNAs represented more than 80% of the total plant miRNAs abundance in human samples. Pla

SUBMITTER: Zhao Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6021041 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature