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Updated: Aug 22, 2025
Author Spotlight: Evaluating Traditional Chinese Therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis in Mice
Published on: October 27, 2023
MicroRNA-155 acts as a potential prognostic and diagnostic factor in patients with ankylosing spondylitis by
Mohammadsaleh Jahangir1, Mohammad Saeed Kahrizi2, Mohammad Natami3
1Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a progressive inflammatory disease. Our primary objective was to explore the role of miR-155 and its targeted factors in AS pathogenesis.
Methods And Results:
PBMCs were isolated from 30 AS patients and 30 healthy individuals using the Ficoll-hypaque isolation approach. The expression of miR-155 and its associated targets, including Suppressor Of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3), STAT3, and IL-21, were determined using qT-qPCR. Then, PBMCs were cultured, and the effect of miR-155, SOCS3 siRNA (to suppress its expression), pEFSOCS3 (enforced expression), and their combination were investigated by qRT-PCR and western blotting. We also treated the cultured PBMCs with Brefeldin A, a potent inhibitor of cytokine secretion, to determine its effect on IL-21 expression and secretion. In addition, the association between miR-155 and patients' clinicopathological features was examined. The results showed that miR-155, IL-21, and STAT3 were increased in patients with AS, while SOCS3 had decreasing expression trend. It was also determined that miR-155 alleviates SOCS3 expression and increases IL-21 and STAT3 expression; it had a prominent effect when combined with SOCS3 siRNA. Besides, we showed that simultaneous transfection of miR-155 and pEFSOCS3 had no significant effect on IL-21 and STAT3 expression, revealing that miR-155 could alleviate the enforced expression of SOCS3. It was also proven that Brefledine A led to IL-21 up-regulation or accumulation while relieving its secretion. Also, a significant correlation between miR-155 and pathological features of AS patients was found.
Conclusion:
miR-155 acts as a potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarker. Its up-regulation leads to the down-regulation of SOCS3 and increased expression of IL-21 and STAT3 as characteristic of TH-17 lymphocytes, leading to worsening inflammatory conditions in patients with AS.
Insights
MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is elevated in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), decreasing SOCS3 and increasing IL-21 and STAT3. This suggests miR-155 is a biomarker for AS progression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a progressive inflammatory disease.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of AS pathogenesis is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNA-155 (miR-155) and its target genes in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from AS patients and healthy controls.
- Expression levels of miR-155, SOCS3, STAT3, and IL-21 were quantified using qRT-PCR.
- Functional studies involved cell culture, siRNA, enforced expression, and Brefeldin A treatment.
Main Results:
- miR-155, IL-21, and STAT3 were upregulated in AS patients, while SOCS3 expression was decreased.
- miR-155 was found to downregulate SOCS3 and upregulate IL-21 and STAT3.
- A significant correlation was observed between miR-155 levels and AS clinicopathological features.
Conclusions:
- miR-155 functions as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for AS.
- Upregulation of miR-155 contributes to AS by downregulating SOCS3 and increasing IL-21 and STAT3, promoting TH-17 cell-mediated inflammation.
