ABSTRACT
Recent studies suggest that epigenetic alterations contribute to arsenic induced adverse health effects in arsenic exposed populations, but such evidences involving microRNAs are lacking. So, here we did global plasma microRNA (miRNA) profiling in 12 arsenic exposed individuals with skin lesions and 12 and arsenic unexposed individuals of West Bengal. We found 221 miRNAs which were differentially regulated with chronic arsenic exposure. The results were validated by qRT-PCR for some selected miRNAs in 60 individuals. Pathways in cancer were found to be the most enriched pathways having maximum targets. miRNA expressions were associated with the commonly occurring non-dermatological health effects: respiratory problems and conjunctival irritation of the eyes also. Thus, our results indicate that miRNA expressions are altered, which leads to differential effects in their target pathways causing the development of skin lesions and other adverse health effects in the arsenic exposed individuals with skin lesions.
