Polymorphisms in MicroRNA Genes Associated with Schizophrenia Susceptibility but Not with Effectiveness of MECT

Abstract

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a common and complex psychiatric disease associated with hereditary and environmental risk factors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules that endogenously regulate gene expression. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in related miRNA genes are associated with susceptibility of the disorder. We wonder if the SNPs have influence on the effectiveness of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) for SCZ. rs1625579 within miR-137, rs6577555 within miR-34, and rs2296616 within miR-107 were sequenced in 150 cases and 150 controls to check the potential association between the SNPs and SCZ. Our results showed that allele G in rs1625579 ( p = 0.005 , adjusted OR = 1.379 , 95 % CI = 1.108 − 1.634 ), allele A in rs6577555 ( p = 0.014 , adjusted OR = 1.246 , 95 % CI = 1.045 − 1.463 ), allele G in rs2296616 ( p < 0.001 , adjusted OR = 1.646 , 95 % CI = 1.374 − 1.879 ) are positively associated with the disorder risk. MECT courses did significantly decrease the level of the miRNAs, except for the variant of rs2296616 with the AA genotype. Schizophrenic phenotypes assessed by the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) were improved after MECT, and there was no significant relevance observed between the effectiveness of MECT and the variants of these loci. Thus, our findings indicate that polymorphisms within the loci may be involved in the pathogenesis of SCZ, and MECT is effective and unbiased for patients harboring different genotypes of the loci.

Implications of SNP-triggered miRNA dysregulation in Schizophrenia development

“…Consequently, SNPs located in the 3′UTR region have the potential to obstruct, weaken, or even create new miRNA binding sites (Bruno et al, 2012;Haas et al, 2012). Even though SNPs have the capacity to alter the binding sites of miRNAs, they have been found within 3′UTR region of SCZ risk genes, underscoring their significant role in the onset and progression of SCZ (He et al, 2021;Zhang et al, 2021) It is important to acknowledge that miRNAs, even in their non-mutated form, have a vital impact on gene expression (O'Brien et al, 2018).…”

It takes two to tango: Widening our understanding of the onset of schizophrenia from a neuro-angiogenic perspective

“…Moreover, miR-137 is upregulated in SZ and several variants have been associated with its physiopathology ( Lett et al, 2013 ; Chen et al, 2021 ). The SNP rs1625579 in miR-137 can be a predictor for earlier age of onset of SZ and correlates with severity of patient symptoms (PANSS score) (D. Zhang et al, 2021 ). The 4-repeats variable number tandem repeat variant rs58335419 (VNTR 4 ) has been associated with altered cortical morphology and severe cognitive deficit in SZ patients ( Mahmoudi et al, 2021 ).…”

Retracted: Polymorphisms in MicroRNA Genes Associated with Schizophrenia Susceptibility but Not with Effectiveness of MECT

“…This article has been retracted by Hindawi, as publisher, following an investigation undertaken by the publisher [ 1 ]. This investigation has uncovered evidence of systematic manipulation of the publication and peer-review process.…”