Expression Alterations and Correlative Analysis of TPH1/hsa-miR-194-5p/NEAT1 and MAOA/hsa-miR-1276/NEAT1 Axes in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Mehmet Tughan Kiziltug ¹, Mehmet Emin Erdal ², Bahar Tasdelen ³

⁰Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80337 Munich, Germany.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences +

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December 30, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (pIBD) involves altered serotonin metabolism and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) and Nuclear Enriched Abundant Transcript 1 (NEAT1) show strong associations, suggesting a role in pIBD.

Area Of Science

Gastroenterology and Molecular Biology
Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (pIBD) research
Serotonin metabolism and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) interactions

Background

Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (pIBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), has complex underlying mechanisms.
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are implicated in disease pathogenesis.
Serotonin metabolism enzymes, specifically Tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) and Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), are critical for intestinal function and inflammation.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the expression patterns of TPH1, MAOA, hsa-miR-194-5p, hsa-miR-1276, and the lncRNA Nuclear Enriched Abundant Transcript 1 (NEAT1) in pediatric IBD.
To explore the relationship between these molecules and intestinal inflammation in pIBD patients.
To identify potential molecular pathways, such as the TPH1/miR-194-5p/NEAT1 axis, involved in pIBD pathophysiology.

Main Methods

Analysis of gene and ncRNA expression in intestinal tissue biopsies and peripheral blood from pIBD patients and healthy controls.
Quantitative assessment of TPH1, MAOA, hsa-miR-194-5p, hsa-miR-1276, and NEAT1.
Statistical analysis including subgroup analysis for UC patients and correlation analysis between key molecules.

Main Results

TPH1 expression was significantly elevated in the inflamed transverse colon.
MAOA expression was reduced in multiple intestinal regions, including the ileum and descending colon, with further decreases in inflamed areas.
hsa-miR-194-5p was upregulated in several colonic regions and in the blood of UC patients. NEAT1 showed region-specific changes, increasing in the ascending colon and decreasing in the ileum. Strong positive correlations were observed between TPH1 and NEAT1 in the ileum and transverse colon.

Conclusions

The study reveals region-specific dysregulation of serotonin-related genes and ncRNAs in pediatric IBD.
The identified TPH1/miR-194-5p/NEAT1 axis represents a potential contributor to pIBD pathophysiology.
Further mechanistic studies are warranted to elucidate the precise role of these molecules in disease development and progression.

Keywords:

ncRNAs pIBD serotonin