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Published on: July 23, 2012
MicroRNAs expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with multiple sclerosis propose
Mahsa Abolghasemi1, Sepide Ali Ashrafi2, Milad Asadi3
1Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Background:
MicroRNAs (miRs) are involved in the autoimmune and neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), through modulating post-transcriptional gene regulation. Accumulating evidence indicates that miR-10, miR-24a, miR-124, and miR-21 play an imperative role in MS pathogenesis. Therefore, the current research aimed to analyze the expression of the selected miRNAs for MS in Iranian population.
Methods And Results:
Blood sample of 75 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and 75 healthy individuals suffering no neurodegenerative illness was collected. Subsequently, the isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was performed by employing Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient method. Afterward, total RNA was extracted and subjected to qRT-PCR analysis. The obtained results evidenced that the relative expression of miR-10 (P = 0.0002), miR-21 (P = 0.0014), and miR-124 (P = 0.0091) significantly decreased in RRMS patients compared to healthy participants. On the contrary, no notable change was observed between the studies groups regarding miR-24a expression levels (P = 0.107). ROC curve analysis estimated an area under the curve (AUC) value equal to 0.75 with P = 0.0006 for miR-10, while it was decreased for miR-21 (AUC = 0.67 and P = 0.0054) and miR-124 (AUC = 0.66 and P = 0.012).
Conclusion:
The change in miR-10, miR-124, and miR-21 expression patterns was implied to participate in MS development. Further large scale observational studies are recommended.
Insights
MicroRNA (miR) expression changes in miR-10, miR-21, and miR-124 are linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) development. These findings highlight potential biomarkers for MS in the Iranian population.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate gene expression and are implicated in autoimmune and neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Specific miRs, including miR-10, miR-24a, miR-124, and miR-21, are thought to play a crucial role in MS pathogenesis.
- Understanding the role of these miRs in MS is vital for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of miR-10, miR-24a, miR-124, and miR-21 in the Iranian population with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To determine the potential association of these specific miRs with MS pathogenesis.
- To evaluate the diagnostic potential of these miRs as biomarkers for MS.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 75 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and 75 healthy controls.
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated using Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to analyze the relative expression of selected miRs, followed by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in the relative expression of miR-10, miR-21, and miR-124 was observed in RRMS patients compared to healthy individuals (P < 0.05).
- No significant difference in miR-24a expression was found between the RRMS and healthy groups (P = 0.107).
- ROC curve analysis indicated diagnostic potential for miR-10 (AUC=0.75, P=0.0006), miR-21 (AUC=0.67, P=0.0054), and miR-124 (AUC=0.66, P=0.012).
Conclusions:
- Altered expression patterns of miR-10, miR-124, and miR-21 are associated with the development of multiple sclerosis (MS).
- These miRs may serve as potential biomarkers for MS diagnosis.
- Further large-scale observational studies are recommended to validate these findings.
