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Published on: July 23, 2012
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.
Background:
MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA that regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level affecting several cellular processes including inflammation, neurodegeneration and remyelination. Different patterns of miRNAs expression have been demonstrated in multiple sclerosis compared to controls, as well as in different courses of the disease. For these reason they have been postulated as promising biomarkers candidates in multiple sclerosis.
Objective:
to correlate serum microRNAs profile expression with disability, cognitive functioning and brain volume in patients with remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Methods:
cross-sectional study in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with glatiramer acetate. Disability was measured with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and cognitive function was studied with Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Brain volume was analyzed with automatic software NeuroQuant®.
Results:
We found an association between miR.146a.5p (rs:0.434, p=0.03) and miR.9.5p (rs:0.516, p=0.028) with EDSS; and miR-146a.5p (rs:-0.476, p=0.016) and miR-126.3p (rs:-0.528, p=0.007) with SDMT. Regarding to the brain volume, miR.9.5p correlated with thalamus (rs:-0.545, p=0.036); miR.200c.3p with pallidum (rs:-0.68, p=0.002) and cerebellum (rs:-0.472, p=0.048); miR-138.5p with amygdala (rs:0.73, p=0.016) and pallidum (rs:0.64, p=0.048); and miR-223.3p with caudate (rs:0.46, p=0.04).
Conclusions:
These data support the hypothesis of microRNA as potential biomarkers in this disease. More studies are needed to validate these results and to better understand the role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis, monitoring and therapeutic response of multiple sclerosis.
Insights
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.
