Could Transforming Growth Factor Beta and Target MicroRNA Dysregulation Serve as Biomarkers of Symptom Severity in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

This study investigated the regulation of miRNA-132-3p on TGF-β levels and its association with OCD severity. We hypothesized that miRNA-132-3p and TGF-β influence OCD aetiology and severity, with their levels correlating with disease severity.

The study included 48 OCD patients diagnosed via SCID-5-CV per DSM-V and 48 matched healthy controls. Blood samples were analysed for miRNA-132-3p and TGF-β using RT-PCR and ELISA. Participants completed Y-BOCS, symptom list, HAMA, HAMD, consent and sociodemographic forms.

OCD patients had significantly lower TGF-β levels (p = 0.008), negatively correlating with Y-BOCS scores (r_s = -0.220, p = 0.045) and disease duration (r_s= -0.473, p = 0.002). miRNA-132-3p levels were 1.92 times higher in OCD patients (p = 0.003), positively correlating with Y-BOCS scores (r_s = 0.208, p = 0.045).

Altered TGF-β and miRNA-132-3p levels may contribute to OCD pathophysiology by affecting BDNF regulation, inflammatory responses (Th1/Th2, Th17/Treg balance) and synaptic plasticity-related genes.