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Updated: May 10, 2026
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Detection of MicroRNAs in Microglia by Real-time PCR in Normal CNS and During Neuroinflammation
Published on: July 23, 2012
Differential microRNA expression in blood in multiple sclerosis
Helle Bach Søndergaard1, Dan Hesse, Martin Krakauer
1Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Denmark.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|June 19, 2013
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are altered in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. MiR-145 shows potential as a diagnostic biomarker in blood, plasma, and serum for MS detection.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression.
- Emerging evidence links miRNAs to autoimmune and inflammatory processes.
- Detection of miRNAs in bodily fluids suggests their utility as diagnostic biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of miRNAs in the immune activation of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients.
- To evaluate the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for multiple sclerosis (MS).
Main Methods:
- Global miRNA expression profiling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
- Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for miRNA detection and comparison with inflammatory cytokines.
- Analysis of selected miRNAs in plasma and PBMC subpopulations.
Main Results:
- let-7d expression correlated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1B.
- miR-145 was significantly upregulated (3-fold) in MS patients.
- ROC curve analysis confirmed miR-145's diagnostic potential in PBMCs, plasma, and serum (AUCs ranging from 0.785 to 0.981).
Conclusions:
- Patients with RRMS exhibit altered miRNA expression profiles.
- miR-145 is validated as a promising diagnostic biomarker for MS detection in blood, plasma, and serum.
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