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Association between miRNA-145 and miRNA-155 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with
Sepide Ali Ashrafi1, Milad Asadi2, Dariush Shanehbandi3
1Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Introduction:
MicroRNAs (miR or miRNA) are short regulatory RNAs, which modulate post-transcriptional gene expression. Dysregulation of these molecules contributes to pathogenicity of autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
Aims:
This study was conducted to investigate changed expression pattern of miRNA-145 and miRNA-155 in MS.
Methods:
We collected blood samples of 75 patients with relapsing-remitting MS patients and 75 healthy controls. Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient method was used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Also, total RNA was extracted and subjected to RT-PCR analysis. We used the Mann-Whitney U test to evaluate the differences in expression levels of target miRNAs between the groups.
Results:
We found that expression of miRNA-145 (P = 0.012) and miRNA-155 (P = 0.005) were partly reduced in patients with relapse-remitting MS in comparison with healthy controls. The miRNA-145 had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.621 (P = 0.01) and miRNA-155 levels had an AUC of 0.625 (P = 0.008).
Conclusion:
Decreased expression of miRNA-145 and miRNA-155 contributes to development of relapse-remitting MS, while further large scale observational studies and meta-analyses are required.
Insights
Reduced expression of microRNA-145 (miRNA-145) and microRNA-155 (miRNA-155) is linked to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger patient cohorts.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression.
- Aberrant miRNA expression is implicated in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differential expression of miRNA-145 and miRNA-155 in patients with MS.
- To assess the diagnostic potential of these miRNAs in MS.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 75 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 75 healthy controls.
- Total RNA was extracted from PBMCs, followed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.
- Statistical analysis, including Mann-Whitney U test and Area Under the Curve (AUC) calculation, was performed.
Main Results:
- Expression levels of miRNA-145 and miRNA-155 were significantly decreased in MS patients compared to healthy controls (P=0.012 and P=0.005, respectively).
- AUC values indicated moderate diagnostic potential for both miRNA-145 (0.621, P=0.01) and miRNA-155 (0.625, P=0.008).
Conclusions:
- Decreased expression of miRNA-145 and miRNA-155 may contribute to the pathogenesis of relapsing-remitting MS.
- These miRNAs show potential as biomarkers for MS, warranting further investigation in large-scale studies.
