Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Inflammation in the Co-occurrence of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Lung Adenocarcinoma
Published on: September 20, 2024
miR-146a and miR-155 expression in PBMCs from patients with Sjögren's syndrome
Huan Shi1, Ling-yan Zheng, Ping Zhang
1Department of Oral Surgery, Affiliated Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
Background:
An increasing number of studies have revealed that microRNA (miRNA) contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the miR-146a and miR-155 levels in peripheral mononuclear blood cells from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) who were not receiving medications and to examine the correlations between these miRNA levels and the clinical features of the disease.
Method:
Using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of miRNAs, the miR-146a and miR-155 expression levels were assessed in peripheral mononuclear blood cells from 27 patients with pSS and 22 healthy controls, and the relationships between these miRNA levels and the visual analog scale (VAS) scores for dry mouth, dry eyes, and parotid gland swelling were investigated.
Results:
Compared with the healthy controls, the miR-146a expression level was significantly increased in the patients with pSS (P = 0.0182) and was positively correlated with the VAS scores for parotid swelling (r = 0.4475, P = 0.0192) and dry eyes (r = 0.4051, P = 0.0361). Although the miR-155 expression level was significantly decreased in the patients with pSS (P = 0.0131), the miR-155 expression positively correlated with the VAS score for dry eyes (r = 0.4894, P = 0.0096).
Conclusion:
Our results demonstrated miR-146a overexpression and miR-155 underexpression in the peripheral mononuclear blood cells of the patients with pSS. Furthermore, the expression levels of these miRNAs correlated with the patients' clinical features. Our data suggest that miR-146a and miR-155 might play important roles in the pathogenesis of pSS and that their expression levels may be useful for diagnosing pSS and for predicting disease activity and therapeutic responses.
Insights
MicroRNA (miRNA) levels, specifically miR-146a and miR-155, were analyzed in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Elevated miR-146a and decreased miR-155 correlate with pSS clinical features, suggesting their role in disease pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Autoimmune diseases, including primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), are increasingly linked to microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation.
- Understanding the specific roles of miRNAs in pSS pathogenesis is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of miR-146a and miR-155 in peripheral blood cells of untreated pSS patients.
- To explore the correlation between these miRNA levels and key clinical manifestations of pSS.
Main Methods:
- Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to quantify miR-146a and miR-155 expression in 27 pSS patients and 22 healthy controls.
- Expression levels were analyzed in relation to visual analog scale (VAS) scores for dry mouth, dry eyes, and parotid gland swelling.
Main Results:
- miR-146a expression was significantly higher in pSS patients and positively correlated with parotid swelling and dry eye severity.
- miR-155 expression was significantly lower in pSS patients but positively correlated with dry eye severity.
Conclusions:
- Overexpression of miR-146a and underexpression of miR-155 were observed in pSS patients' peripheral blood cells.
- These miRNA alterations correlate with clinical symptoms, indicating their potential as biomarkers for pSS diagnosis and disease activity monitoring.
More Related Videos
09:18Author Spotlight: Isolation and Culture of Primary Synovial Macrophages and Fibroblasts from Murine Arthritis Tissue
Published on: February 24, 2023
07:25Author Spotlight: A Focus on Standardized Salivary Gland Ultrasound Protocol in Connective Tissue Disease Research
Published on: October 13, 2023