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Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model
Published on: March 17, 2023
Circulating microRNAs in autoimmune thyroid diseases
Hiroya Yamada1, Mitsuyasu Itoh, Izumi Hiratsuka
1Department of Hygiene, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.
Context:
Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), including Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), are the most common autoimmune diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs, which can play pivotal roles in immune functions and development of autoimmunity. Recently, it has been recognized that identification of circulating miRNAs can provide important and novel information regarding disease pathogenesis and clinical condition. However, the role circulating miRNAs in AITD has not yet been described.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to characterize the different circulating levels of miRNA in patients with AITD.
Design And Methods:
Sixty-four participants who met the criteria for HT or GD and healthy subjects were recruited. Microarrays were used to analyse the expression patterns of miRNA in serum obtained from patients with HT and GD and healthy subjects. After analysing the microarray data, four interesting miRNAs (miR-16, miR-22, miR-375 and miR-451) were selected and validated by quantitative real-time PCR.
Results:
Several miRNAs were observed to be differently expressed in serum from patients with AITD compared with healthy subjects by microarray analysis. Further analysis consistently showed that serum levels of miR-22, miR-375 and miR-451 were increased in patients with HT. On the other hand, the serum levels of miR-16, miR-22, miR-375 and miR-451 were increased in patients with GD compared with healthy subjects.
Conclusions:
We revealed that different levels of serum miRNAs were associated with GD and HT, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.
Insights
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) show distinct levels in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), including Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). These findings suggest miRNAs may contribute to the pathogenesis of AITDs.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), such as Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), are prevalent autoimmune conditions.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of immune function and autoimmunity development.
- Circulating miRNAs offer potential biomarkers for disease pathogenesis and clinical status in autoimmune disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize the distinct circulating levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs).
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 64 participants, including patients with HT or GD and healthy controls.
- Microarray analysis was employed to identify differential miRNA expression patterns in serum.
- Quantitative real-time PCR was used to validate the expression levels of selected miRNAs (miR-16, miR-22, miR-375, and miR-451).
Main Results:
- Microarray analysis revealed differential expression of several miRNAs in the serum of AITD patients compared to healthy individuals.
- Serum levels of miR-22, miR-375, and miR-451 were significantly elevated in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).
- Serum levels of miR-16, miR-22, miR-375, and miR-451 were found to be increased in patients with Graves' disease (GD).
Conclusions:
- Distinct serum microRNA profiles are associated with Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).
- These identified circulating miRNAs may play a significant role in the underlying pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs).
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