Profiling microRNA for the prediction of stress fractures in the Thoroughbred racehorse

Profiling microRNA for the prediction of stress fractures in the Thoroughbred racehorse | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 28 January 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Profiling microRNA for the prediction of stress fractures in the Thoroughbred racehorse Authors : SEUNGMEE LEE 0000-0002-3460-9987 , Melissa Baker 0000-0002-3684-4972 , Eugenio Cillan Garcia 0000-0002-8840-4098 , Michael Clinton , and Sarah Taylor 0000-0002-9714-8495 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176963246.69189353/v1 108 views 56 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Background: Early detection of stress fractures can be difficult using clinical imaging techniques. MicroRNAs (miRNA) could be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers. Objectives: To establish a miRNA profile associated with increased risk of stress fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Study design: Prospective case-controlled study. Methods: Residue blood samples from lame Thoroughbreds referred for nuclear scintigraphy and divided into lame stress fracture (5 horses) or lame non-stress fracture (5 horses) groups. A second control group consisted of non-lame Thoroughbreds presenting for blood sampling (5 horses). Next generation sequencing of miRNA profiles was compared between the three groups. The effects of selected stress fracture-related miRNAs on equine bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were investigated. BMMSCs were transfected using miRNA-486-5p mimic or inhibitor and a lipofectamine control from three donors. Results: No miRNA profile was identified for potential usage as a biomarker for differentiating stress fracture from lame cases. However, the miRNA profiles of lame cases and non-lame control horses were significantly different. RNA-sequencing showed three miRNAs (eca-miR-486-5p, eca-miR-26a and eca-miR-23a) were differentially expressed (p value <0.05) between lame cases and non-lame controls, which was validated by qPCR. Of these, eca-miR-486-5p demonstrated the most abundant change. Cell transfection experiments using the miR-486-5p mimic treatment in equine BMMSCs showed upregulation of the osteogenic transcription factor, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF1). A significant decrease of miR-133a in the miR-486-5p mimic treated cells was also demonstrated. Main limitations: Small sample size. Exercise can influence miRNA expression was not controlled for between groups. Conclusions: Since RUNX2 is the known target of miR-133a, miR-486-5p together with miR-133a would suggest the biological importance of bone turnover and osteogenesis in equine BMMSCs, but further investigation of role of miR-486-5p and miR-133a in equine bone biology is warranted. Supplementary Material File (profiling_microrna_for_the_prediction_of_stress_fractures_in_the_thoroughbred_racehorsen_annonymised_26.1.26_formatted_blinded.docx) Download 47.56 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 28 January 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Authors Affiliations SEUNGMEE LEE 0000-0002-3460-9987 The University of Edinburgh Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies View all articles by this author Melissa Baker 0000-0002-3684-4972 The University of Edinburgh Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies View all articles by this author Eugenio Cillan Garcia 0000-0002-8840-4098 The University of Edinburgh Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies View all articles by this author Michael Clinton The University of Edinburgh Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies View all articles by this author Sarah Taylor 0000-0002-9714-8495 [email protected] The University of Edinburgh Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 108 views 56 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation SEUNGMEE LEE, Melissa Baker, Eugenio Cillan Garcia, et al. Profiling microRNA for the prediction of stress fractures in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Authorea . 28 January 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176963246.69189353/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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