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STAT5a and STAT6 gene expression levels in multiple sclerosis patients
Mahsa Hatami1, Tayyebali Salmani1, Shahram Arsang-Jang2
1Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex inflammatory, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The disease pathogenesis is not well defined yet. Cytokines have an important role in inflammation as characteristic feature of the disease. Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcriptions (JAK/STAT) family promote cytokine-mediated cell activation. Failure in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway is associated with the pathological outcome in MS. In this study, we compared the expression levels of STAT5a and STAT6 genes in the blood of 50 relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) patients and 50 healthy controls by Taqman Quantitative Real-Time PCR in patients and healthy control group. We found that STAT5a expression was significantly down-regulated (p = .049), whereas STAT6 gene expression was significantly up-regulated (p = .046) in MS patients compared with controls. Moreover, there was significant correlation between the STAT6 gene expression and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) criterion. However, no significant correlation was demonstrated between the expression of STAT5a gene and clinical findings. Furthermore, there was not significant correlation between expression levels of STAT5a and STAT6 genes. Our findings suggest that STAT5a and STAT6 dysregulation may have a critical role in modification of immune responses leading to imbalance between Th2- and Th1-related cytokines. However, the mechanisms underlying it still remain to be elucidated. Future studies are needed to explore the role of STAT5a and STAT6 as prognostic biomarkers in research, design of experimental therapies or clinical settings of the MS.
Insights
STAT5a gene expression is down-regulated and STAT6 gene expression is up-regulated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, suggesting their role in immune response imbalance in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune CNS disease characterized by inflammation.
- Cytokines and the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcriptions (JAK/STAT) pathway are implicated in MS pathogenesis.
- Dysregulation of the JAK/STAT pathway is linked to adverse pathological outcomes in MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the expression levels of STAT5a and STAT6 genes in relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) patients and healthy controls.
- To investigate the correlation between STAT5a and STAT6 gene expression and clinical parameters in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 50 RR-MS patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Taqman Quantitative Real-Time PCR was used to measure STAT5a and STAT6 gene expression.
- Correlation analysis was performed between gene expression and the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Main Results:
- STAT5a gene expression was significantly down-regulated in MS patients compared to controls (p = .049).
- STAT6 gene expression was significantly up-regulated in MS patients compared to controls (p = .046).
- STAT6 expression correlated significantly with EDSS scores, while STAT5a expression did not correlate with clinical findings or STAT6 expression.
Conclusions:
- STAT5a and STAT6 gene dysregulation may contribute to immune response imbalance in MS.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and potential of STAT5a and STAT6 as biomarkers for MS.
