Circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers of disease activity and structural damage in ankylosing spondylitis...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Immunology

Background:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) diagnosis is challenging before irreversible joint damage occurs.
• Circulating microRNAs show promise as diagnostic biomarkers for various diseases.
• Identifying early diagnostic markers for AS is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify circulating plasma microRNAs as potential biomarkers for ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
• To investigate the association of these microRNAs with AS disease activity and features.
• To explore the role of these microRNAs in AS pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of plasma microRNA expression profiles in AS patients, psoriatic arthritis patients, and healthy donors.
• Utilizing bioinformatics to predict microRNA targets and pathways.
• Correlating microRNA expression with clinical parameters like disease activity and syndesmophyte presence.

Main Results:

• A distinct signature of six plasma microRNAs (miR-146a-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-151a-3p, miR-22-3p, miR-150-5p, and miR-451a) differentiated AS patients from healthy controls and psoriatic arthritis patients.
• This six-microRNA signature achieved a high diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.957).
• Bioinformatics and protein association studies suggested these microRNAs target inflammatory and bone remodeling genes relevant to AS.

Conclusions:

• A six-plasma microRNA signature shows potential as a non-invasive biomarker for AS diagnosis.
• These microRNAs may play a role in AS pathogenesis, influencing inflammation and bone remodeling.
• MicroRNA expression levels correlate with AS disease activity and radiographic features like syndesmophytes.