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Role of circulating microRNA-132 in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: A case-control study
Marwa M Esawy1, Shereen A Baioumy2, Nagwan A Ismail3
1Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Human Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.
Abstract:
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is an allergic respiratory disease. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the roles of miRNA-21 and miRNA132 as biomarkers in the diagnosis of ABPA. A total of 30 controls, 30 allergic asthmatic patients, 30 severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) patients, and 30 ABPA patients were included. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the level of miRNAs expression. The expression level of miRNA-21 was significantly higher in allergic asthmatic, SAFS, and ABPA patients in comparison with controls (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was detected in the expression level of miRNA-21 among the different patient groups (p > 0.05). The ABPA patients had significantly higher levels of miRNA-132 expression compared to controls, allergic asthmatic patients, and SAFS patients (p < 0.001), but there was a non-significant difference between controls and allergic asthmatic patients (p = 0.09). At a cut-off of 1.52, the sensitivity of miRNA-132 expression was 93.3% and the specificity was 100% different ABPA from healthy controls. At a cut-off of 6.5, miRNA-132 expression was found to reliably differentiate between ABPA and SAFS, with a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 80%. In ABPA patients, miRNA-132 expression positively correlation with the levels of serum IL-5 (r = 0.91, p < 0.001). miRNA-132 has a role in ABPA detection and distinguishing ABPA from allergic asthma and SAFS. These preliminary data from case-control study need further studies to confirm its finding.
Insights
MicroRNA-132 shows promise as a biomarker for diagnosing allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and differentiating it from allergic asthma and severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS). This study highlights its potential role in ABPA detection.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a significant allergic respiratory condition.
- Accurate diagnosis and differentiation from similar conditions like allergic asthma and severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) are crucial.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as potential diagnostic biomarkers in various diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic utility of miRNA-21 and miRNA-132 as biomarkers for ABPA.
- To assess the ability of these miRNAs to distinguish ABPA from healthy controls, allergic asthma, and SAFS.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 30 controls, 30 allergic asthmatics, 30 SAFS patients, and 30 ABPA patients.
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to measure miRNA expression levels.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare miRNA levels across groups and determine diagnostic accuracy.
Main Results:
- miRNA-21 levels were elevated in all patient groups compared to controls, but did not differentiate between patient groups.
- miRNA-132 levels were significantly higher in ABPA patients compared to controls, allergic asthma, and SAFS patients.
- miRNA-132 demonstrated high sensitivity (93.3%) and specificity (100%) in differentiating ABPA from controls, and good performance in distinguishing ABPA from SAFS (86.7% sensitivity, 80% specificity).
- A positive correlation was observed between miRNA-132 expression and serum IL-5 levels in ABPA patients.
Conclusions:
- miRNA-132 shows significant potential as a biomarker for the diagnosis of ABPA.
- miRNA-132 can effectively differentiate ABPA from allergic asthma and SAFS.
- Further research is warranted to validate these preliminary findings in larger cohorts.
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