Majid Khoshmirsafa1, Nahid Kianmehr2, Reza Falak1,3, Seyed Javad Mowla4, Farhad Seif1, Behnaz Mirzaei5, Mohadeseh Valizadeh5, Mehdi Shekarabi1,3. 1. Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Rheumatology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3. Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. 5. Department of Genetics, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
AIM: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There is a great interest in using microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in autoimmune diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study evaluated miR-16, miR-21, miR-141, miR-146a, and miR-155 expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 55 female SLE patients with absent, inactive, or active nephritis, and 30 healthy controls (HCs) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: MiR-21 and miR-155 levels were significantly greater in the active nephritis group than in the absent, inactive or HC groups. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic and logistic regression analyses revealed miR-21 and miR-155 were significant risk factors for LN. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of miR-21 and miR-155 in PBMCs may participate in LN pathophysiology and these miRNAs could be used as biomarkers for the condition.
AIM: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There is a great interest in using microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in autoimmune diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study evaluated miR-16, miR-21, miR-141, miR-146a, and miR-155 expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 55 female SLEpatients with absent, inactive, or active nephritis, and 30 healthy controls (HCs) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS:MiR-21 and miR-155 levels were significantly greater in the active nephritis group than in the absent, inactive or HC groups. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic and logistic regression analyses revealed miR-21 and miR-155 were significant risk factors for LN. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of miR-21 and miR-155 in PBMCs may participate in LN pathophysiology and these miRNAs could be used as biomarkers for the condition.