Sex-Related Differences in Circular RNA Expression in Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune CNS disease with a higher prevalence in females.
• Sex differences impact MS susceptibility and progression.
• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators of CNS and immune functions, but their role in MS is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sex-specific differences in circRNA expression in MS patients.
• To identify circRNAs associated with MS severity and disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

Main Methods:

• Re-analysis of a published dataset with sex-stratified analysis.
• Validation of differentially expressed circRNAs in an independent cohort of MS patients.
• Correlation analysis between circRNA expression and clinical variables (disability, disease form, DMTs).

Main Results:

• Identified 33 differentially expressed circRNAs between female and male MS patients.
• Validated sex-dependent expression differences for five circRNAs.
• Found hsa_circ_0140253 expression correlated with higher disability and progressive MS, and with DMT use.

Conclusions:

• circRNA expression in MS is influenced by sex, disease severity, and DMT exposure.
• Preliminary evidence suggests circRNAs may play a role in MS pathogenesis.
• Further research in larger cohorts is needed to confirm these sex-related findings and their clinical implications.