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Published on: January 7, 2019
Investigation of miRNAs that are effective in the pathogenesis of asthma
Ender Coskunpinar1, Betul Akcesme1, Sevgi Kalkanli Tas2
1Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.
Objectives:
Asthma is a complex disease characterized by inflammation of the airways, involving epigenetic changes, in which genetic and environmental factors act together. MicroRNAs as candidate biomarkers stand out as target molecules in the diagnosis and treatment of immunological and inflammatory diseases. Our aim of this study is to identify miRNAs that are thought to be effective in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma and to reveal candidate biomarkers associated with the disease.
Methods:
Fifty patients, aged between 18-80 years, who were diagnosed with allergic asthma and 18 healthy volunteers were included in the study. After the collection 2 mL of total blood from volunteers, RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis were performed. For miRNA profile screening, expression analysis was performed by real-time PCR method using miScript miRNA PCR Array. GeneGlobe Data Analysis Center was used to evaluate dysregulated miRNAs.
Results:
In the allergic asthma group, 9 (18%) of the patients were male and 41 (82%) of them were female. In the control group, 7 (38.89%) were male and 11 (61.1%) were female (P:0.073). As a result of the research, the expression levels of miR-142-5p, miR-376c-3p and miR-22-3p were down-regulated, while miR-27b-3p, miR-26b-5p, miR-15b-5p and miR-29c-3p detected as up-regulated.
Discussion:
The results of our study suggest that miR142-5p, miR376c-3p and miR22-3p promote Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis by inhibiting TGF-β expression through a mechanism involving the p53 signaling pathway. The deregulated miRNAs may be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in asthma.
Insights
This study identified specific microRNAs (miRNAs) that are dysregulated in allergic asthma. These findings suggest potential new biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting asthma progression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Asthma is a complex airway inflammatory disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in regulating gene expression and are implicated in immunological and inflammatory diseases.
- Identifying specific miRNAs can aid in diagnosing and treating allergic asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify microRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma.
- To discover candidate microRNA biomarkers for allergic asthma diagnosis and prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 50 allergic asthma patients and 18 healthy volunteers.
- RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and miRNA expression profiling were performed using real-time PCR and miScript miRNA PCR Array.
- Dysregulated miRNAs were analyzed using the GeneGlobe Data Analysis Center.
Main Results:
- Down-regulation of miR-142-5p, miR-376c-3p, and miR-22-3p was observed in asthma patients.
- Up-regulation of miR-27b-3p, miR-26b-5p, miR-15b-5p, and miR-29c-3p was detected.
- Demographic analysis showed differences in gender distribution between the asthma and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Down-regulated miRNAs (miR-142-5p, miR-376c-3p, miR-22-3p) may inhibit TGF-β expression, promoting ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis via the p53 signaling pathway.
- These deregulated miRNAs show promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for asthma.
- Further research into miRNA mechanisms can advance asthma management strategies.
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