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Dicer and microRNA-155 dysregulation in multiple sclerosis: biomarkers for disease progression and treatment response
Nadia M H Madany1, Mona I A El-Seidi1, Husam S Mourad2
1Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Background:
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an immunological disorder that progressively leads to neurological dysfunction. Dysregulated microRNA expression, particularly miR-155, has been implicated in MS pathogenesis. Dicer, an enzyme responsible for processing precursor microRNAs into their mature forms, is also dysregulated in various conditions, including MS.
Objectives:
This study aimed to assess plasma expression levels of miR-155 and Dicer mRNA in MS patients compared to healthy individuals and evaluate their diagnostic value and clinical significance.
Methods:
We analyzed plasma samples from twenty untreated MS patients, 20 MS patients receiving IFNβ1a therapy, and twenty healthy controls. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to quantify miR-155 and Dicer mRNA levels.
Results:
MiR-155 was significantly higher in untreated MS patients compared to both healthy controls and IFNβ1a-treated group (p < 0.001). MiR-155 correlated positively with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (r = 0.683, p < 0.001). Conversely, plasma Dicer mRNA levels didn't differ significantly between untreated MS patients and controls. However, Dicer mRNA expression was significantly elevated in the IFNβ1a-treated patients compared to both untreated MS patients (p < 0.001) and healthy controls (p = 0.001).
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that miR-155 may serve as a promising biomarker for MS diagnosis and disease severity. While Dicer mRNA expression showed limited diagnostic utility, its upregulation in IFNβ1a-treated patients suggests a potential role in monitoring disease progression and treatment response.
Insights
Elevated miR-155 levels in untreated Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients indicate its potential as a biomarker for MS diagnosis and severity. Dicer mRNA changes suggest a role in treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an immunological disorder causing progressive neurological dysfunction.
- Dysregulated microRNA (miRNA) expression, particularly miR-155, is implicated in MS pathogenesis.
- Dicer, crucial for miRNA maturation, is also dysregulated in various conditions, including MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess plasma miR-155 and Dicer mRNA levels in MS patients versus healthy controls.
- To evaluate the diagnostic value and clinical significance of these molecules in MS.
- To investigate the impact of IFNβ1a therapy on miR-155 and Dicer mRNA expression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of plasma samples from untreated MS patients, IFNβ1a-treated MS patients, and healthy controls.
- Quantification of miR-155 and Dicer mRNA using quantitative real-time PCR.
- Correlation analysis between biomarker levels and clinical parameters like the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Main Results:
- Plasma miR-155 was significantly higher in untreated MS patients compared to controls and treated patients (p < 0.001).
- MiR-155 positively correlated with EDSS scores (r=0.683, p < 0.001).
- Dicer mRNA levels did not differ significantly in untreated MS patients but were elevated in IFNβ1a-treated patients compared to untreated MS patients and controls (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- MiR-155 shows promise as a biomarker for MS diagnosis and disease severity assessment.
- Dicer mRNA has limited diagnostic utility but may indicate treatment response or disease progression in IFNβ1a-treated MS patients.
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