Patterns of microRNAs 142-3p, 106a, 17 and 20a expression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disorder which involves immune system dysregulation. Micro-ribonucleic acids (MiRNAs) up and down regulation are implicated in its development. Aim of the work: To examine the expression levels of certain miRNAs (miR-17, miR-20a, miR-106a, and miR-142-3p) in SLE patients and to investigate which miRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, in order to be used as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. Patients and methods: 60 patients and 60 matched control were included. SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2 K) was assessed. Assessment of serum miRNAs was done using real-time quantitative polymerized chain reaction. Results: The median age of patients was 29.5 years (24-32) and they were 59 females and 1 male with a median disease duration of 24 (20-48) months and SLEDAI of 5.5 (2.3-9). miR-17a, miR-142, miR-20a and miR-106a were significantly lower in patients (22.5 +/- 2.2; 22.8 +/- 2.2; 23.4 +/- 2.4 and 22.6 +/- 2.2) compared with control (23.8 +/- 2.1; 24.7 +/- 2.2; 25.1 +/- 2.4 and 24.4 +/- 2.3) (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). The 4 markers significantly correlated with the SLEDAI (p = 0.002; p = 0.002; p = 0.004 and p = 0.001 respectively). The diagnostic capability of miR-142, miR-20a and miR-106a in predicting SLE showed a specificity of 95%, 98% and 90% at cut-off values of >22.6, >22.1 and >22.8 respectively; area under the curve was 67, 72, 70 and 76% at p-values p = 0.19, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively. Conclusion: MiR-17, miR-142-3p, miR-20a, and miR-106a have a diagnostic value in SLE and may serve as a therapeutic target for treatment. The studied markers were also related to the disease activity. (c) 2021 THE AUTHORS. Publishing services by ELSEVIER B.V. on behalf of The Egyptian Society of Rheumatic Diseases. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

The study investigated the expression levels of certain miRNAs in SLE patients and found that miR-17, miR-142, miR-20a, and miR-106a were significantly lower in patients compared to controls. These miRNAs were correlated with disease activity and could serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for SLE.