Expression analysis of multiple microRNAs in each patient with scleroderma

In this study, we compared expression pattern of multiple microRNAs in individual patient with scleroderma with that in normal subject. Serum levels of six microRNAs (miR-7 g, miR-21, miR-29b, miR-125, miR-145 and miR-206) were evaluated using real-time PCR in 15 patients with scleroderma and 15 normal subjects. While levels of the six microRNAs were similar between the two groups, we found significant difference in the ranks between miRNAs in patients with scleroderma. Additionally, levels of let-7 g and miR-125b showed strong and significant correlation in normal subjects, but not in patients with scleroderma. Thus, miRNA expression pattern may be different in patients with scleroderma. We also found the combination of serum levels of miR-206 and miR-21 was more useful in distinguishing patients with scleroderma from normal subjects than either miR-206 or miR-21 alone. Our study is the first to demonstrate different expression profiles of multiple microRNAs in each patient with scleroderma and examine its clinical significance.