MiR-98-5p may be a Biomarker for Screening Bronchial Asthma in Children by Targeting IL-13

In the present study, we mainly focused on miR-98-5p, which is shown to be dysregulated in various diseases. However, whether miR-98-5p is increased in the serum of asthma patients has never been explored.

The levels of miR-98-5p and IL-13 were determined in the serum of bronchial asthma children. ROC analysis was carried out to evaluate whether miR-98-5p could be used as a potential biomarker for children with bronchial asthma.

The current study showed that the relative expression level of miR-98-5p in the asthmatic remission group and asthmatic acute group was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group, and the relative expression level of miR-98-5p in the asthmatic acute group was significantly lower than that in the asthmatic remission group. In children with acute asthma attacks, the levels of miR-98-5p in the moderate group and severe group were significantly lower than those in the mild group, and those in the severe group were significantly lower than those in the moderate group. Furthermore, the serum IL-13 levels in the asthma remission group and acute asthma group were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group, and the serum IL-13 levels in acute asthma group were significantly higher than those in asthma remission group.

In summary, the current study suggests that miR-98-5p may affect the occurrence and development of bronchial asthma in children via affecting the expression of IL-13.