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Transcriptomic Profiling Identifies Disease-Specific miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Networks in Systemic Sclerosis
Dóra Csige1,2, János Rózsa3,4,5, Monika Bodoki1
1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
Biomolecules
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) involves altered micro-RNA (miRNA) and mRNA networks in immune cells. These changes drive fibrosis and immune activation, contributing to SSc pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe autoimmune disease with significant mortality.
- Epigenetic regulators, such as micro-RNAs (miRNAs), are implicated in SSc pathogenesis by modulating gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate altered miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in SSc patients.
- To correlate these networks with disease-specific biological processes.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of miRNA and mRNA profiles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 52 SSc patients and 24 healthy controls.
- High-throughput next-generation sequencing for comprehensive miRNA and mRNA profiling.
- Bioinformatic integration of miRNA and mRNA data to identify regulatory interactions.
Main Results:
- Identified 58 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and 6610 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SSc patients.
- Revealed 180 validated inverse miRNA-mRNA interactions, with many upregulated genes targeted by downregulated miRNAs.
- Functional enrichment analysis pinpointed pathways in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, immune responses, fibrosis, and transcriptional regulation.
Conclusions:
- Altered miRNA expression significantly contributes to transcriptional dysregulation in SSc.
- Coordinated miRNA-mRNA interactions promote pro-fibrotic and immune-activated pathways characteristic of SSc.
- Understanding these epigenetic networks offers insights into SSc pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
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