Correlation between microRNAs- 604, microRNA-1302- 3p and IL-37 Expression in Iraqi patients with Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite with a unique global prevalence and is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. MicroRNAs are key epigenetic elements crucial that modulate the immune response by influencing cytokine expression.

To investigate serum levels of IL-37 alongside the expression of microRNAs miR-604 and miR-1302-3p in Iraqi patients with toxoplasmosis, and to evaluate their potential correlations and regulatory relationships.

A total of 200 non-pregnant women were enrolled in the present study, consisting of 100 toxoplasmosis- positive and 100 healthy controls. Toxoplasmosis status was determined via serological screening using a rapid diagnostic test (TORCH) and ELISA for IgM, IgG antibodies. For the molecular analysis, total RNA was extracted from whole blood samples and reverse-transcribed into cDNA. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was then performed on both groups to quantify the expression levels of microRNA-604 and microRNA-1302-3p.

The expression levels of both microRNA-604 and microRNA 1302-3p were significantly reduced in toxoplasmosis patients compared to the control group in patients (relative expression: 2.1896 ± 1.12221 ng/L vs. 1.6384 ± 1.09466 for microRNA-604; 4.0896 ± 1.42896vs. 2.5764 ± 1.16224 for microRNA 1302-3p). ). Conversely, serum levels of IL-37 were significantly higher in the patient group (295.0604 ± 45.79983 ng/L) compared to the control group (36.7183 ± 3.83299 ng/L).

Our findings demonstrate that miRNA-604 and 1302-3p are downregulated in toxoplasmosis patients, a state associated with the marked induction of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-37. These altered expression profiles suggest a coordinated role in the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis, highlighting their potential utility as novel diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets.