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Published on: July 15, 2011
MicroRNAs correlate with bacillary index and genes associated to cell death processes in leprosy
Nadja de Lima Santana1, Lucas Neves de Farias1, Tainã Lago1
1Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil; Serviço de Imunologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
Abstract:
Mycobacterium leprae infects skin and peripheral nerves causing a broad of clinical forms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) control immune mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy as well as to target genes leading to abnormal proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of cells. Herein we evaluated miRNAs expression for leprosy phenotypes in biopsies obtained from patients with and without reactions. We also correlated those miRNAs with both, bacillary index (BI) and genes involved in the micobacteria elimination process. Our results show a significant increase in the miR-125a-3p expression in paucibacillary (PB) patients vs multibacillary (MB) subjects (p = 0.007) and vs reversal reactions (RR) (p = 0.005), respectively. Likewise, there was a higher expression of miR-125a-3p in patients with erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) vs MB without reactions (p = 0.002). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between miR-125a-3p, miR-146b-5p and miR-132-5p expression and BI in patients with RR and ENL. These miRNAS were also correlated with genes such as ATG12 (miR-125a-3p), TNFRSF10A (miR-146b-5p), PARK2, CFLAR and STX7 (miR-132-5p). All together we underpin a role for these miRNAs in leprosy pathogenesis, implicating mechanisms such as apoptosis and autophagy in skin. The miR-125a-3p might have a distinct role associated with PB phenotype and ENL in MB patients.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in leprosy. Increased miR-125a-3p expression is linked to paucibacillary leprosy and erythema nodosum leprosum, potentially influencing disease presentation and immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, presents diverse clinical forms affecting skin and nerves.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate crucial immune processes like apoptosis and autophagy, impacting cell behavior.
- Understanding miRNA expression in leprosy is vital for elucidating disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate miRNA expression patterns in leprosy patients across different clinical phenotypes.
- To correlate miRNA levels with bacillary index (BI) and genes involved in Mycobacterium elimination.
- To identify specific miRNAs associated with leprosy reactions like erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of miRNA expression in skin biopsies from leprosy patients with and without reactions.
- Correlation analysis of miRNA expression with bacillary index (BI).
- Correlation analysis of miRNA expression with genes involved in mycobacterial elimination and immune response.
Main Results:
- Significant upregulation of miR-125a-3p in paucibacillary (PB) leprosy compared to multibacillary (MB) leprosy and reversal reactions (RR).
- Elevated miR-125a-3p expression observed in ENL patients compared to MB patients without reactions.
- Positive correlation found between miR-125a-3p, miR-146b-5p, and miR-132-5p expression and BI in RR and ENL patients.
- Correlations identified between these miRNAs and genes such as ATG12, TNFRSF10A, PARK2, CFLAR, and STX7.
Conclusions:
- Specific miRNAs, notably miR-125a-3p, are implicated in the pathogenesis of leprosy.
- These miRNAs are associated with distinct leprosy phenotypes, including PB leprosy and ENL reactions.
- The findings suggest a role for miRNAs in regulating apoptosis and autophagy in leprosy skin lesions.
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