Aberrant expression of microRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells as candidate biomarkers in patients with axial spondyloarthritis

Abstract

Objectives: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis involving the axial skeleton. Recent evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether miR-17-5p, miR-27a, miR-29a and miR-126-3p can be verified as potential biomarkers of axSpA. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) miRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction among 43 patients with AS, 26 patients with non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) and 39 healthy controls. Detailed clinical histories were recorded and the correlation of miRNAs and clinical features were analyzed.Results: When compared to controls, both patients with AS and nr-axSpA had significantly higher expression levels of miR-17-5p, miR-27a, miR-29a and miR-126-3p. MiR-27a was negatively correlated with Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease ActivityScore as well as C-reactive protein in patients with nr-axSpA (r = −0.51, P < 0.01 and r = −0.42, P = 0.034 respectively). No other clinical features were found to correlate with the four miRNAs in patients with AS. Mir-29a showed highest area under the curve with 0.952 and these four miRNAs may be potential biomarkers in patients with axSpA. Conclusions:We reported elevated miR-17-5p, miR-27a, miR-29a and miR-126-3p expression in PBMCs of patients with axSpA, and the expression of these four miRNAs might be used as useful diagnostic markers in axSpA. K E Y W O R D Sankylosing spondylitis, biological markers, microRNAs, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

Etiopathogenesis of sacroiliitis: implications for assessment and management

“…No other clinical features were correlated with these four microRNAs in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The highest expression was observed for microRNA-29a, which may therefore have potential as a diagnostic marker in axial spondyloarthritis [89].…”

MicroRNAs in Axial Spondylarthritis: an Overview of the Recent Progresses in the Field with a Focus on Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis

“…The authors demonstrated that the expression of three microRNAs, miR-16, miR221, and let-7i, was higher in T cells of patients with AS compared to controls, and correlated with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index of the lumbar spine [ 51 ]. More recently, a study by Li et al reported an elevated expression of miR-17-5p, miR-27a, miR-29a, and miR-126-3p expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with AS compared to healthy control [ 53 ]. The presence of mir-29 in AS peripheral blood has been highlighted by different studies, particularly evidencing the role of miR-29a in regulating bone metabolism.…”

“…The presence of mir-29 in AS peripheral blood has been highlighted by different studies, particularly evidencing the role of miR-29a in regulating bone metabolism. miR-29a enables negative regulation of Dkk-1 expression and facilitates activation of the Wnt pathway, resulting in increased bone formation [ 53 , 54 ].…”

“…miR-29a enables negative regulation of Dkk-1 expression and facilitates activation of the Wnt pathway, resulting in increased bone formation [ 53 , 54 ].…”

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…And after full-text assessment, we eventually identified 29 articles that could be used for the systematic review of the miRNA expression profile. The full text of the 29 articles was assessed again in details, and nine of them (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) were included in our meta-analysis. A flowchart of the selection process of the articles is presented in Figure 1.…”