Profiles of miRNA expression and IFN-γ serum level as biomarker for the development of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with a wide spectrum of sensory, motor, and psychological disorders. Cytokines level and microRNA (miRNA) expression have roles in the disease's progression and the start of a damaging immune response in the central nerve system. This research study aimed to determine the role of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and microRNA-326 (MiR-326) as prognostic factors for the development of MS disease in relation to different treatments. This case-control study included 100 participants, classified as 80 MS patients and 20 apparently healthy subjects as a control group. IFN-γ level was determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expression level of micR326 was determined by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique. The mean level of serum IFN-γ in MS patients (102.83 ± 15.79 ng/ml) was significantly higher than in the control group (61.25 ± 12.51 ng/ml) (p=0.001). A higher concentration of IFN-γ was observed in the secondary progressive form of MS disease relative to relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and in comparison, with the controls group, this IFN-γ cytokine level was significantly higher in treatment-naive patients. There was an increase in the mean fold change of miRNA-326 expression in patients (3.1 ±1.65) compared to the control group (1.03 ±0.23). In conclusion, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) has higher IFN-γ serum level than RRMS. MiR-326 may participate in the development of MS and its expression can be a useful biomarker for the prediction of MS.