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Relationship between mir-126 expression in children with psoriasis, disease progression and therapeutic response
Elvina Murzina1, Victor Dosenko2, Tetiana Drevytska2
1Department of Dermatovenereology, Allergology, Clinical and Laboratory Immunology, Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.
Insights
MicroRNA-126 (miR-126) levels in children with psoriasis are altered in buccal epithelium and correlate with disease severity and treatment response. Initial miR-126 levels in buccal epithelium can predict therapy outcomes in pediatric psoriasis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting children.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in regulating gene expression and are implicated in various diseases, including psoriasis.
- miR-126 has been identified as a potential biomarker in several conditions, but its role in pediatric psoriasis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of miR-126 in children with psoriasis.
- To determine the association between miR-126 expression and psoriasis severity, clinical presentation, and treatment efficacy.
- To evaluate the potential of miR-126 as a prognostic marker for therapeutic response in pediatric psoriasis.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure miR-126 expression in psoriatic skin lesions and buccal epithelium of 54 children with psoriasis.
- Correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationship between miR-126 levels and clinical parameters such as psoriasis severity (Body Surface Area - BSA), Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and Physician's Global Assessment (PGA).
- Treatment response (PASI < 75) was evaluated in relation to initial miR-126 levels.
Main Results:
- miR-126 levels were significantly reduced in the buccal epithelium of children with psoriasis compared to healthy controls.
- miR-126 expression in psoriatic epidermis varied significantly based on the clinical form and severity (BSA) of psoriasis.
- Higher initial miR-126 levels in the buccal epithelium were associated with a poorer response to treatment (PASI < 75) and higher rates of treatment failure, particularly in older children and those with higher PGA scores.
- High miR-126 levels in psoriatic keratinocytes correlated with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Conclusions:
- miR-126 expression is dysregulated in pediatric psoriasis and is linked to disease characteristics.
- Initial miR-126 levels in the buccal epithelium serve as a prognostic indicator for treatment response in children with psoriasis.
- Measuring miR-126 in buccal epithelium may aid in guiding treatment decisions, including the initiation of systemic therapy for pediatric psoriasis.
Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the expression level of miR-126 in children with psoriasis in the epidermis affected by psoriasis and intact buccal epithelium, establish the impact on the characteristics of the course of psoriasis and the results of therapy in children with psoriasis of initial expression levels of miR-126. miR-126 expression levels in psoriatic keratinocytes and buccal epithelium were determined in 54 children with psoriasis on the severity of psoriasis, treatment efficacy. miR-126 levels in the buccal epithelium in children with psoriasis were reduced compared to healthy children (AUC=0.776±0.048, p<0.001). There were no discrepancies between miR-126 expression levels in psoriatic keratinocytes and buccal epithelium (p=0.097). There are statistically significant discrepancies between miR-126 expression levels in the psoriatic epidermis depending on the clinical form of psoriasis (AUC=0.637±0.056; p=0.014) and severity according to BSA (AUC=0.634±0.063; p=0.034). Depending on the miR-126 level in the buccal epithelium, the response to treatment (PASI<75) in children with high miR-126 is worse than in children with expected miR-126 levels (OR 2.79; 95%; CI: 1.19 - 6.51). Treatment failures were observed in children with high levels of miR-126 in the buccal epithelium compared to miR-126 in the psoriatic epidermis: children aged 12/13 to 17 years (OR 2.44; 95% CI: 1.02 - 5.85), children with PGA=4 (OR 3.16; 95% CI: 1.34 - 7.43). The location and level of miR-126 expression affects the course of psoriasis and the outcome of treatment. High levels of miR-126 in psoriatic keratinocytes lead to manifestations of plaque psoriasis with a course of moderate to severe forms. Initial miR-126 levels in the buccal epithelium in children with psoriasis are a prognostic criterion for response to therapy and can be used as a marker for prescribing systemic treatment.
