Association between miRNA-145 and miRNA-155 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study

Abstract

Introduction MicroRNAs (miR or miRNA) are short regulatory RNAs, which modulate post-transcriptional gene expression. Dysregulation of these molecules contributes to pathogenicity of autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Aims This study was conducted to investigate changed expression pattern of miRNA-145 and miRNA-155 in MS. Methods We collected blood samples of 75 patients with relapsing-remitting MS patients and 75 healthy controls. Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient method was used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Also, total RNA was extracted and subjected to RT-PCR analysis. We used the Mann–Whitney U test to evaluate the differences in expression levels of target miRNAs between the groups. Results We found that expression of miRNA-145 (P = 0.012) and miRNA-155 (P = 0.005) were partly reduced in patients with relapse-remitting MS in comparison with healthy controls. The miRNA-145 had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.621 (P = 0.01) and miRNA-155 levels had an AUC of 0.625 (P = 0.008). Conclusion Decreased expression of miRNA-145 and miRNA-155 contributes to development of relapse-remitting MS, while further large scale observational studies and meta-analyses are required.

Cholecalciferol Supplementation Induced Up-Regulation of SARAF Gene and Down-Regulated miR-155-5p Expression in Slovenian Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

“…Both studies where discrepancies between miR-155 or SARAF expression in regard to the present study were observed were also performed on particular Iranian and Bahraini populations [ 22 , 43 ]. In the later study, the authors also pointed to particular Middle East and Gulf region populations and stated that further studies are required in order to elucidate the role of the SARAF gene in multiple sclerosis [ 43 ], depicting an awareness of genetic heterogeneity between different populations.…”

“…Furthermore, it is shown that the inhibition of miR-155 expression is effective in preventing processes that are involved in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis [ 16 ]. A recent study also suggests that miR-155 expression, together with miR-145 expression, in PBMCs is associated with RRMS [ 22 ]. However, the later study also demonstrated contradictory findings that higher levels of miR-155 and miR-145 expression was observed in controls and not RRMS patients [ 22 ].…”

“…A recent study also suggests that miR-155 expression, together with miR-145 expression, in PBMCs is associated with RRMS [ 22 ]. However, the later study also demonstrated contradictory findings that higher levels of miR-155 and miR-145 expression was observed in controls and not RRMS patients [ 22 ]. Nevertheless, a recent study involving rheumatoid arthritis, also an autoimmune disease, showed that the down-regulation of the molecular axis involving miR-155-5p relieved the disease progression [ 40 ], thus, implicating that the decrease in miR-155 plays a crucial role in relieving autoimmune inflammation states.…”

“…The roles of miRNA molecules in multiple sclerosis are flagged and proposed as promising diagnostic biomarkers [ 13 , 22 ]. Furthermore, it was shown that miRNAs can accurately differentiate patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) from healthy controls [ 23 ].…”

Emerging imaging and liquid biomarkers in multiple sclerosis

“…Several studies have profiled miRNAs in blood, other biological fluids, or cells in MS, with some miRNAs differing between MS and healthy controls, MS subtypes, or with outcomes such as MRI lesions, disability, or response to therapy [138,[140][141][142][143]. Though there are conflicting results and lack of replication in the miRNA biomarker literature, several miRNAs with known roles in inflammatory signaling, including regulation of lymphocyte subsets, have been identified in multiple MS studies, including miR-145, miR-155, and miR-92a [140,[143][144][145][146][147][148]. The roles of miRNAs as biomarkers and potential therapies in MS are reviewed in detail elsewhere [149,150].…”