Uncovering mirnomes of patients with interstitial lung diseases and an underlying autoimmune process

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Pulmonology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a significant complication of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD).
• Early identification of patients at risk of functional deterioration and tailored therapies are unmet needs in SARD-ILD.
• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as potential biomarkers for disease mechanisms and prediction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify differentially expressed miRNAs in sera of patients with SARD-ILD compared to healthy controls.
• To explore the association of specific miRNAs with clinical variables, disease progression, and outcomes in SARD-ILD.
• To uncover novel miRNA signatures related to SARD-ILD pathogenesis and prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Bulk small-RNA sequencing was performed on serum samples from 24 SARD-ILD patients and 5 healthy subjects.
• Differential gene expression analysis was conducted to identify significantly altered miRNAs.
• Correlations between miRNA levels and clinical parameters (disease duration, radiographic patterns, KL-6, etc.) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Thirteen differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in SARD-ILD patients.
• Let-7i-5p levels correlated with higher KL-6, miR-151a-5p with early disease, and miR-483-5p with microvascular involvement.
• Specific miRNA signatures (e.g., miR-320, miR-10 families) were associated with microvascular involvement and progressive phenotypes, with profibrotic miRNAs indicating poor outcomes.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first exploratory insights into miRNomes associated with SARD-ILD.
• Specific miRNAs show potential as early biomarkers for predicting functional deterioration and disease progression in SARD-ILD.
• Further research is needed to validate these findings in larger SARD-ILD populations.