Enhanced Expression of Serum miR-410-3p Reflects The Disease Progression in Anti-gp210 Positive Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Abstract

Background & Aims: Anti-gp210 antibodies are highly specific for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and are detected in 20%-40% of PBC patients. PBC patients with anti-gp210 positive appear to have more advanced bile duct damage and worst prognosis. Recent studies suggest that miRNAs play a critical role in the progression of PBC. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the expression dysregulation of miRNAs in serum from patients with anti-gp210 positive PBC and the disease progression.Methods: The differentially expressed miRNAs were identified by deep sequencing. The differentially expressed miRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR in PBC patients along with healthy controls and chronic hepatitis B patients. The target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted using TargetScan and miRDB database. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses were conducted to explore the target genes function. Results: The expression levels of 60 miRNAs were found to differ significantly between PBC patients with anti-gp210 positive and anti-gp210 negative. MiR-410-3p was validated as the significantly differentially expressed miRNA. MiR-410-3p had a higher level in patients with anti-gp210 positive PBC and was associated with the disease progression. Bioinformatics showed that underlying target genes of miR-410-3p was involved in cell communication, signal transduction, cell apoptosis, and so on. Through KEGG pathway analysis, we suspected that Th1, Th2, Th17 cell differentiation might be associated with the pathogenesis of PBC. Conclusion: The over-expression of serum miR-410-3p might reflect the disease progression in patients with anti-gp210 positive PBC.