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microRNA Expression and Its Association With Disability and Brain Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated With
María I Dominguez-Mozo1, Ignacio Casanova2,3, Laura De Torres2
1Research Group in Environmental Factors of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Health Research Institute Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain.
Frontiers in Immunology
|July 1, 2022
Summary
Serum microRNAs show potential as biomarkers for multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. Specific microRNAs correlate with disability, cognitive function, and brain volume changes in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- Altered microRNA expression patterns are observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to controls.
- MicroRNAs are being investigated as potential biomarkers for MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate serum microRNA profiles with clinical and imaging markers in relapsing-remitting MS patients.
- To assess associations between microRNAs, disability (EDSS), cognitive function (SDMT), and brain volume.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving relapsing-remitting MS patients on glatiramer acetate.
- Disability assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
- Cognitive function evaluated with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT).
- Brain volumes analyzed using NeuroQuant® software.
Main Results:
- Specific microRNAs (miR-146a.5p, miR-9.5p) associated with EDSS scores.
- miR-146a.5p and miR-126.3p correlated with SDMT performance.
- Several microRNAs (miR-9.5p, miR-200c.3p, miR-138.5p, miR-223.3p) showed correlations with specific brain region volumes (thalamus, pallidum, cerebellum, amygdala, caudate).
Conclusions:
- Findings support microRNAs as potential biomarkers for multiple sclerosis.
- Further research is required to validate these microRNA biomarkers.
- Understanding microRNA roles is crucial for MS pathogenesis, monitoring, and treatment response.
