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Expression and Localization of miR-21 and miR-126 in Mucosal Tissue from Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Gorm Thorlacius-Ussing1, Boye Schnack Nielsen, Vibeke Andersen

  • 1Departments of *Immunology and Microbiology, and †Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; ‡Bioneer A/S, Hørsholm, Denmark; and §Research Unit for Molecular Diagnostic and Clinical Research, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Aabenraa, Denmark.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
|April 21, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) and microRNA-126 (miR-126) show altered expression in inflammatory bowel diseases. miR-21, found in immune cells, may distinguish ulcerative colitis (UC) from Crohn's disease (CD).

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate protein expression and are emerging as diagnostic biomarkers for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).
  • Limited information exists on the cellular localization of many miRNAs, necessitating detailed histologic evaluation of miRNA expression patterns to understand their immunobiological functions in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cellular expression and localization of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in colon biopsies from patients with UC and CD.
  • To evaluate the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing between UC and CD.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and quantitative in situ hybridization (ISH) were performed on colon biopsies from 10 UC patients, 8 CD patients, and 9 controls.
  • Immunohistochemical staining was used to characterize the cellular expression of miR-21 and miR-126, including multiplex staining for immune cell markers.

Main Results:

  • Increased levels of miR-21 and miR-126 were observed in UC compared to controls. miR-21 levels were also increased in UC compared to CD.
  • miR-126 was localized to endothelial cells, while miR-21 was found in lamina propria cells.
  • miR-21 expression was detected in subsets of CD68 macrophages and CD3 T cells in UC, suggesting a role in immune cell regulation.

Conclusions:

  • miR-126 is upregulated in UC and localized to endothelial cells.
  • miR-21 expression in immune cells (monocytes/macrophages and T cells) suggests its potential as a biomarker to differentiate UC from CD.
  • Quantitative in situ hybridization is a valuable tool for assessing miRNA expression and cellular origin, with potential for clinical diagnostics in larger cohorts.

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