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Association of Plasma miRNA-7-5p and miRNA-214-5p With Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Irem Sahinoğlu1, Umit Karakas2, Sadettin Uslu1
1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Manisa Celal Bayar University School of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey.
Objective:
Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a major extra-articular complication contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential non-invasive biomarkers in autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to evaluate whether plasma miRNA-7-5p and miRNA-214-5p are associated with the presence of RA-ILD and with radiological and functional indicators of pulmonary involvement.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 58 RA patients (29 RA-ILD, 29 without ILD) and 30 matched healthy controls were included. RA-ILD was diagnosed by multidisciplinary assessment (HRCT and pulmonary function tests). Plasma miRNA levels were measured by qRT-PCR and analyzed using the 2^-ΔΔCT method. Diagnostic performance was evaluated by ROC analysis.
Results:
Plasma miRNA-7-5p and miRNA-214-5p levels were significantly higher in RA patients compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05 for both). Among RA patients, both miRNAs were significantly lower in those with ILD (p < 0.05). miRNA-7-5p demonstrated promising discriminatory performance for identifying RA-ILD (AUC = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.760-0.947; p < 0.001), whereas miRNA-214-5p showed modest accuracy (AUC = 0.676, 95% CI: 0.539-0.794; p = 0.01). In multivariable analysis, ILD presence was independently associated with decreased levels of both miRNAs. Neither miRNA correlated significantly with DAS28-CRP, disease duration, nor with radiological or functional severity parameters.
Conclusion:
Circulating miRNA-7-5p and miRNA-214-5p are associated with the presence of RA-ILD but do not reflect disease severity in this cohort. Larger prospective studies are required to validate their potential role as adjunctive biomarkers for RA-ILD detection and risk stratification.
Insights
Plasma levels of miRNA-7-5p and miRNA-214-5p are linked to rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). These circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) may aid in detecting RA-ILD but do not indicate disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Biomarkers
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a severe complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as potential non-invasive biomarkers for autoimmune conditions.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers for RA-ILD is crucial for early detection and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma levels of miRNA-7-5p and miRNA-214-5p and the presence of RA-ILD.
- To determine if these miRNAs correlate with radiological and functional indicators of lung involvement in RA patients.
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of these miRNAs for identifying RA-ILD.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study included 58 RA patients (29 with RA-ILD, 29 without) and 30 healthy controls.
- RA-ILD diagnosis was confirmed through high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests.
- Plasma miRNA levels were quantified using qRT-PCR, and diagnostic accuracy was assessed via ROC analysis.
Main Results:
- Plasma miRNA-7-5p and miRNA-214-5p levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in controls.
- RA patients with ILD exhibited significantly lower levels of both miRNAs compared to those without ILD.
- miRNA-7-5p showed strong discriminatory performance for RA-ILD (AUC=0.87), while miRNA-214-5p had modest accuracy (AUC=0.676).
- ILD presence was independently associated with decreased levels of both miRNAs, but neither correlated with disease severity markers.
Conclusions:
- Circulating miRNA-7-5p and miRNA-214-5p are associated with the presence of RA-ILD.
- These miRNAs do not appear to reflect disease severity in the studied cohort.
- Further prospective studies are needed to validate their role as adjunctive biomarkers for RA-ILD detection and risk stratification.
