Altered microRNAs expression in T cells of patients with SLE involved in the lack of vitamin D

Abstract

Vitamin D has been recognized as a potent immunomodulator and its deficiency is common in different population groups including patients with SLE. As miRNAs regulation plays a significant role in SLE, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D status and miRNAs levels in patients with SLE. The serum concentrations of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) and the levels of six miRNAs in T cells from patients with SLE were measured in 42 SLE cases and 48 healthy controls. Vitamin D treatment was also performed in isolated and cultured T cells from SLE patients in different times and doses. Vitamin D insufficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration <20 ng/ml) was more common in cases than in controls. Although age and BMI were similar, cases had significantly lower concentrations of miRNA-377, miRNA-342, miRNA-10a, miRNA-374b, miRNA-125a, and miRNA-410 than controls. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was also observed between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and measured miRNAs levels. A significant difference in observed miRNAs levels was also observed in patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency compared with patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration ≥20 ng/ml. And 1α,25(OH)2D3 differentially regulated miRNAs expression in dose- and time- manner in vitro. Lower expressions of miRNA-377, miRNA-342, miRNA-10a, miRNA-374b, miRNA-125a, and miRNA-410 were found in SLE patients. And severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with decreased observed miRNAs levels in SLE patients. A 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration value <20 ng/ml is suggested as the “cut-off” for such immunological alterations in patients with SLE.

An autocrine Vitamin D-driven Th1 shutdown program can be exploited for COVID-19

“…We confirmed that VDR protein is induced by T cell activation ( Fig. S4a), addition of active VitD enhances VDR expression 27 ( (Fig. S4e).…”

Immunomodulatory Effects of Diet and Nutrients in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A Systematic Review

“…Through vitamin D supplementation for 6 months in patients with SLE ( n = 20), hypovitaminosis D, Treg-cell balance (increased Treg cells and decreased effector Th1 and Th17 cells) and B-cell homeostasis were restored with reduced anti-dsDNA antibodies ( 162 ). Low levels of vitamin D (<20 ng/mL) were associated with reduced micro (mi)-RNA expression in T cells ( i.e ., miRNA-377, miRNA-342, miRNA-10a, miRNA-374b, miRNA-125a, and miRNA-410) of patients with SLE compared with those of healthy controls, indicating that unfavorable immunological alterations take place because of a lack of vitamin D in patients with SLE ( 163 ).…”

Mechanisms of vascular comorbidity in autoimmune diseases

“…An interesting link between different risk factors was found in a study measuring vitamin D levels in SLE patients and correlating them with certain miRNA levels in patients’ T cells. An association between vitamin D concentrations and measured miRNA levels (miRNA-377, miRNA-342, miRNA-10a, miRNA-374b, miRNA-125a, and miRNA-410) was observed – not only comparing SLE patients with healthy controls, but also between patients differing in their vitamin D serum levels and also in cultured T cells from SLE patients, wherever the correlation was dose-dependent and time-dependent [ 80 ▪▪ ].…”