TITLE:
The Expression of miRNAs in Sudanese Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Khartoum State
AUTHORS:
Sarah Mohammed Dafalla, Ahmed Elhadi Elsadig, Tarig A. M. Hamid, Huda Mohamed Haroun, Sana Eltahir Abdalla
KEYWORDS:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), MicroRNAs
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases,
Vol.12 No.4,
November
23,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: MicroRNAs (miRs) are noncoding gene regulators that
may have a role as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers in systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE). Aim: To measure the blood levels of miR-146a,
miR-126 and miR-30a in Sudanese SLE patients and to investigate their potential
role in disease pathogenesis and utility as biomarkers for SLE. Material and
Methods: A total of 48 SLE
patients and 20 matched healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. SLE
disease activity index (SLEDAI) was assessed. The blood levels of miR-146a,
miR-126 and miR-30a were determined by Real-time polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) in all participants. Γ-INF and IL-2 were analyzed by ELISA, and
CD markers were used in flow cytometry. Results: The mean age of the patients was 31.5 ± 8.5 years with disease
duration > 5 years. In SLE patients, the mean blood level fold changes of
miR-146a (0.33 ± 0.277; P 0.305) compared to controls. Down regulation of
miR-146a increase expression of γ-INF
(P MiR-126 at a cut-off value 1.209 and miR-146a at
cut-off value of 0.9233 which can discriminate between SLE patients
significantly associated with SLE disease. Conversely, miR-30a was
insignificantly associated with SLE disease (P value > 0.05) as no
differences between the SLE patients and healthy control. Conclusion: Circulating
miR-146a and miR-126 could be a potential noninvasive biomarker in SLE. This
study provides an overview of the current state of research on the role of
miRNAs in the immune pathogenesis and regulation of SLE. Further studies are
needed in miRNAs profiling expressions of SLE diseases.