The role of microRNA-31 and microRNA-21 as regulatory biomarkers in the activation of T lymphocytes of Egyptian lupus patients

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by familial aggregation and genetic predisposition. MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) serve as critical biomarkers in lupus patients because of their aberrant expression in different SLE stages. The study aimed to investigate the correlation of miR-31 and miR-21 with IL-2 in SLE patients as regulatory biomarkers in the activation of T lymphocytes of Egyptian lupus patients. Quantitative RT-PCR is carried out to estimate the expressions of miR-31 and miR-21, and IL-2 levels were determined using ELISA in plasma of 40 patients with SLE, 20 of their first-degree relatives and 20 healthy controls. The study also determined the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score and proteinuria in SLE patients. The results revealed that miR-31 was lower expressed, while miR-21 was high expressed in SLE patients compared to their first-degree relatives and controls. MiR-31 was negatively correlated with SLEDAI and proteinuria in lupus patients, while miR-21 showed positive correlation with them. Also we found that there is a significant positive correlation between miR-31 and IL-2 in SLE patients, while miR-21 was negatively correlated with IL-2 level in patients. In conclusion, the study disclosed a significant association between miR-31 and miR-21 expression with IL-2 level in SLE patients. The regulatory biomarkers of miR-31 and miR-21 might have an impact on regulating IL-2 pathway expression and in turn on the activation of T lymphocytes in SLE.

Diagnostic significance of circulating miRNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus

“…However, five articles were excluded by reading their complete articles due to article types, seven studies lacked available data to construct a 2×2 table, and four articles lacked a comparison between SLE patients and healthy controls. Finally, 17 studies [17][18][19][20][21][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] were included in the meta-analysis. The process of study selection was illustrated in Fig 1. Except the study of Zununi Vahed et al [42] is a cross-sectional trial, all others are prospective trials.…”

“…In 2011, Stagaki et al [16] suggested that miRNA-21 (miR-21) was a potential biomarker for SLE. Since then, a series of studies [17][18][19][20][21] have also verified the role of miR-21 in SLE. In addition, these studies [18][19][20][21] have found other miRNAs (miR-155, -181a, -196a, -31, and -148a) dysregulated in SLE.…”

“…Since then, a series of studies [17][18][19][20][21] have also verified the role of miR-21 in SLE. In addition, these studies [18][19][20][21] have found other miRNAs (miR-155, -181a, -196a, -31, and -148a) dysregulated in SLE. Dai et al [22] carried out a meta-analysis to verify the diagnostic accuracy of miRNAs as potential biomarkers for SLE.…”

Levels of miR‐31 and its target genes in dermal mesenchymal cells of patients with psoriasis

“…Specifically, miR‐31 plays an important role in the immune system. For instance, overexpression of miR‐31 influences the activation of T lymphocytes and inflammatory reactions via upregulation of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) expression . Recently, there has been increasing attention on the role of miR‐31 in the development of psoriasis.…”

“…For instance, overexpression of miR-31 influences the activation of T lymphocytes and inflammatory reactions via upregulation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression. [8][9][10] Recently, there has been increasing attention on the role of miR-31 in the development of psoriasis. Some studies have reported that miR-31 is overexpressed in proliferating KCs in lesions of patients with psoriasis.…”