Background: Previous studies suggested miR-146a and miR-155 play important roles in innate and adaptive immune responses. We studied intra-renal and urinary levels of miR-146a and miR-155 in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). Methods: Intra-renal and urinary levels of miR-146a and miR-155 are quantified in 43 patients with IgAN; the result was compared to 20 nephrectomy specimens and urine sediment of 13 healthy volunteers. Results: The levels of intra-renal and urinary levels of miR-146a and miR-155 of IgAN are significantly higher than controls. Estimated glomerular filtration rate inversely correlates with intra-renal level of miR-146a and miR-155; proteinuria positively correlates with intra-renal level of miR-146a and miR-155, as well as urinary level of miR-146a and miR-155. Intra-renal level of miR-155 significantly correlates with tubulointerstitial scarring. Urinary level of miR-146a inversely correlates with urinary expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and positively correlates with urinary expression of regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed, and secreted (RANTES). Urinary level of miR-155 inversely correlates with urinary expression of IL-1β and TNF-α and positively correlates with urinary expression of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) and RANTES. Conclusion: We conclude that intra-renal and urinary levels of miR-146a and miR-155 were significantly elevated in IgAN, and the degree of upregulation correlates with clinical and histological severity of the disease. Our results suggested miR-146a and miR-155 might play an important role in the pathophysiology of IgAN.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the progression of renal fibrosis. We studied the urinary levels of miR-21, miR-29 family and miR-93, which are downstream mediators of the transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁), in patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. Methods: We studied the urinary miRNA levels of 43 IgA nephropathy patients and 13 healthy controls. Results: The IgA nephropathy group had significantly lower urinary miR-29b and miR-29c, but higher miR-93 levels than controls. Proteinuria significantly correlated with urinary levels of miR-29b (r = –0.388, p = 0.003) and miR-29c (r = –0.409, p = 0.002). Glomerular filtration rate significantly correlated with urinary levels of miR-21 (r = 0.338, p = 0.028), miR-29b (r = 0.333, p = 0.031) and miR-29c (r = 0.304, p = 0.050). Urinary miR-93 level significantly correlated with glomerular scarring (r = –0.392, p = 0.010). Urinary miRNA level of SMAD3, but not TGF-β₁, correlated with urinary miR-21 (r = 0.624, p < 0.001), miR-29b (r = 0.566, p < 0.001), miR-29c (r = 0.619, p < 0.001) and miR-93 (r = 0.332, p = 0.032). Conclusions: Urinary miR-29b and miR-29c levels correlated with proteinuria and renal function, while urinary miR-93 level correlated with glomerular scarring. More importantly, urinary levels of these miRNA targets significantly correlated with urinary SMAD3 level. Our results suggest that these miRNA targets are regulated by the TGF-β₁/SMAD3 pathway and they may play important roles in the development of progressive renal fibrosis in IgA nephropathy.

Baricitinib therapy in COVID-19: A pilot study on safety and clinical impactDear Editor , 38.1 (37.7-38.7) 0.356 Breath rate N/min, median (IQR), 23 (19.5-24.2) 22 (19.7-24) 0.665 SpO2 (%),median (IQR) 91 (90-92.5) 92 (91.2-93) 0.157 PaO2/FiO2, median (IQR) 290 (199.2-292.2) 268.6 (264.4-295) 0.603 Pulse rate, median (IQR) 82 (73-88.3) 90 (87.2-94.5) 0.069 SBP mm/Hg, median (IQR) 120 (110-131.2) 105 (100-111.25) 0.003 DBP mm/Hg, median (IQR) 70 (60-80) 62.5 (60-66.25) 0.094 WBC (x10 9 /L), median (IQR) 7.8 (5.8-10.8) 8.2 (7.3-8.8) 0.908 Neutrophils (x10 9 /L), median (IQR) 6,5 (4.5-7.7) 6.9 (6.4-7.6) 0.707 Lymphocytes (x10 9 /L), median (IQR) 0.7 (0.7-1.2) 0.89 (0.7-0.9) 1.0 0 0 Hemoglobin (g/L), median (IQR) 118 (102-134.2) 125 (108-134) 0.568 Platelets (x10 9 /L), median (IQR) 203 (174-227) 366 (340-407) 0.0 0 0 ALT (U/L), median (IQR) 28.5 (23.5-52) 44 (37-50) 0.157 AST (U/L), median (IQR) 34 (26.2-48) 44 (34.7-47) 0.525 Creatinine (mg/dl), median (IQR)1.0 (0.9-1.1) 1.00 (0.9-1) 0.583 CRP (mg/dl), median (IQR) 8.2 (5.8-14.5) 3 (1.5-3.2) 0.002 Procalcitonin ng/ml, median (IQR) 0.7 (0.4-1.1) 1.2 (0.8-2.1) 0.902 MEWS, median (IQR) 3 ( 2-3.25) 3 (3-4) 0.544 Abbreviations and symbols: N = number;% = percentage; °C: grade Celsius; min = minute; SpO2 = peripheral capillary oxygen saturation; PaO2/FiO2 = ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen; SBP = systolic blood pressure; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; WBC = white blood cells; AST = serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase; ALT = serum alanine aminotransferase; MEWS = Modified Early Warning Score; IQR: Interquartile range.

Abstract.Background: Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) regulate one-third of all protein-coding genes and are fundamental in the pathophysiology of a wide range of diseases. We studied the expression of several miRNA species (miR-200 family, miR-205 and miR-192) in the urinary sediment of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Methods: We studied 43 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN. Urinary expression of miRNAs was determined and compared to that from 13 healthy controls.