Reduced expression of miRNAs as potential biomarkers in axial spondyloarthritis

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the value of miR-29a-3p, miR-27a, miR126-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-625-3p, miR-130a, miR-32, miR-218, miR-131, and miR5196 in the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis and to determine whether there is a difference in miRNA expression levels between radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, as well as the relationship between miRNA expression levels, disease activity, and uveitis history. METHODS: This study included 50 patients with axial spondyloarthritis (25 with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and 25 with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis) and 25 healthy individuals. The fold change of miRNA expression for each miRNA was calculated using the 2-ΔΔCt method. RESULTS: The expression of all miRNAs except miR-130a was downregulated in axial spondyloarthritis patients (miR-27a fold regulation −11.21, p<0.001; miR-29a-3p fold regulation −2.63, p<0.001; miR-32 fold regulation −2.94, p=0.002; miR-126-3p fold regulation −10.94, p<0.001; miR-132 fold regulation −2.18, p<0.001; miR-146-5p fold regulation −9.78, p<0.001; miR-218 fold regulation −2.65, p<0.001; miR-625-3p fold regulation −2.01, p=0.001; miR-5196-3p fold regulation −7.04, p<0.001). The expression levels of these miRNAs did not differ significantly between non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients (p>0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Particularly, miR-27a, miR-126-3p, miR-146-5p, and miR-5196-3p were found to be substantially downregulated in both non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients, suggesting their potential as diagnostic biomarkers for axial spondyloarthritis.