Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Stereotactic Atlas-Guided Laser Capture Microdissection of Brain Regions Affected by Traumatic Injury
Published on: September 11, 2017
Expression patterns of micro-RNAs 146a, 181a, and 155 in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
Uluç Yiş1, Uğur Kemal Tüfekçi2, Şermin Genç2
1School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey ulyis@yahoo.com.
Abstract:
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is caused by persistent brain infection of mutated virus, showing inflammation, neurodegeneration, and demyelination. Although many factors are emphasized in the pathogenesis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, the exact mechanism of neurodegeneration remains unknown. Micro-RNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional levels. Micro-RNAs are essential for normal immune system development; besides they are also implicated in the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression patterns of micro-RNAs 146a, 181a, and 155 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. We enrolled 39 patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and 41 healthy controls. Quantitative analysis of micro-RNAs 146a, 181a, and 155 were performed using specific stem-loop primers followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. All of 3 micro-RNAs were upregulated in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients. In addition, the level of micro-RNA 155 expression was higher in stage 3 patients. But, micro-RNA 146a and 181a expression levels showed no association or correlation with clinically relevant data. Alteration of peripheral blood mononuclear cell micro-RNAs in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis may shed new light on the pathogenesis of disease and may contribute to the aberrant systemic rise in mRNA levels in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
Insights
MicroRNAs 146a, 181a, and 155 are upregulated in patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. MicroRNA 155 levels correlate with disease severity, suggesting a role in this rare neurological disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a severe neurological disease caused by persistent measles virus infection.
- The precise mechanisms driving neurodegeneration in SSPE remain incompletely understood.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and are implicated in inflammatory and neurological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of specific microRNAs (miR-146a, miR-181a, miR-155) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SSPE patients.
- To explore potential correlations between miRNA expression and clinical parameters in SSPE.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure miRNA expression.
- PBMCs were collected from 39 SSPE patients and 41 healthy controls.
- Specific stem-loop primers were utilized for accurate miRNA quantification.
Main Results:
- All three investigated miRNAs (miR-146a, miR-181a, miR-155) were significantly upregulated in SSPE patients compared to healthy controls.
- Elevated expression of miR-155 was observed in patients with more advanced disease (Stage 3).
- No significant association was found between miR-146a or miR-181a levels and clinical data.
Conclusions:
- Altered miRNA expression in PBMCs of SSPE patients may offer insights into disease pathogenesis.
- The upregulation of specific miRNAs, particularly miR-155, could be linked to SSPE progression.
- These findings may contribute to understanding aberrant mRNA regulation in SSPE and potentially inform future diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.
