Fig. 1.

miR-29b expression in human infants. A: plasma samples were obtained during the first week of life from infants born <32 wk gestation. miR-29b levels were measured using molecular beacon technology (see methods), and subsequent diagnosis and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were noted at 36-wk corrected gestational age. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s multiple comparisons post hoc test; n = 6–20 per group; *P < 0.05 different than control. B: correlations between plasma miR-29b levels and severity of BPD were plotted and analyzed using Pearson’s correlation; P < 0.0001. In addition, multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to control for gestational age at birth. Adjusted values indicated P = 0.008; r² = 0.497. C: autopsy lung tissue sections were obtained from infants who died from nonpulmonary causes (a and b) or from BPD (c and d). Bars = 50 μm in all images, and photos were taken at ×400. Expression of miR-29 was determined by in situ hybridization. miR-29 expression was localized to flat cells lining the airways or vessels (arrows).