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Plasma MicroRNAs (miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155) as Potential Biomarkers for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Disease
Zahra Bagheri-Hosseinabadi1,2, Mohammad Reza Mirzaei1,2, Mohammad Reza Hajizadeh1,2
1Molecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Background:
Previous studies have shown that several microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in the whole blood as well as diverse cells and tissues from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The aim of the current study was to determine if the expression of miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 in whole blood of RA patients could confer potential markers in evaluating of activity-severity of the disease in RA patients with established disease.
Methods:
Whole blood samples were obtained from 30 RA patients and 30 healthy subjects. The RNA content of blood samples was isolated, cDNA was synthesized, and transcript levels of miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 were determined using Real-time PCR. The clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were also evaluated.
Results:
It was detected that expression level of miR-146a (fold change=1.85, P=0.004), miR-103a (fold change=2.44, P=0.0018), and miR-155 (fold change=1.94, P=0.0025) were significantly upregulated in the whole blood samples of RA patients in comparison to that of healthy subjects. Expression level of miRNAs was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics of the patients, including Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI), 28Tender Joint Count (TJC-28), 28Swollen Joint Count (SJC-28), C-reactive protein (CRP), Rheumatoid factor (RF), and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies.
Conclusions:
Upregulated levels of miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 in the whole blood samples of RA patients could confer a potential marker of activity-severity of the disease in RA patients with established disease.
Insights
MicroRNAs miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 are upregulated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. These microRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for assessing RA disease activity and severity.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with dysregulated microRNA (miRNA) expression in various tissues and blood.
- Specific miRNAs, including miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155, have been implicated in RA pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 in the whole blood of RA patients.
- To determine if these miRNAs can serve as potential biomarkers for evaluating RA disease activity and severity.
Main Methods:
- Whole blood samples were collected from 30 RA patients and 30 healthy controls.
- RNA was isolated, converted to cDNA, and transcript levels of miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 were quantified using Real-time PCR.
- Clinicopathological characteristics of RA patients were assessed.
Main Results:
- miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 were significantly upregulated in RA patients compared to healthy subjects (fold changes ranging from 1.85 to 2.44, P < 0.005).
- The expression levels of these miRNAs correlated with RA disease activity markers such as DAS28, SDAI, TJC-28, SJC-28, CRP, RF, and anti-CCP antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Upregulated miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 in whole blood show potential as biomarkers for assessing rheumatoid arthritis activity and severity.
- These findings contribute to understanding the role of miRNAs in RA and may aid in clinical monitoring.
