MicroRNA expression profiling in Multiple Sclerosis and EAE (136.21)

Abstract

Abstract microRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNAs that are emerging as key regulators of protein expression; however, little is known about the expression or roles of miRNAs in multiple sclerosis. We isolated and profiled miRNAs from normal and multiple sclerosis donors and have identified a number of miRNAs that are regulated in MS white matter and plaque tissue, as well as some which appear to have altered expression in MS grey matter tissue. Using miRNA and mRNA profiling in parallel, we have been able to identify miRNA families and predicted target networks with relevance to MS. As points of comparison to the MS tissue samples, we also extensively profiled various human immune cell subsets, as well as spinal cord samples from mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model with similarities to MS, for miRNA expression. miRNA signatures of the whole blood human immune cell populations have enabled identification of cell-type specific miRNAs that can be used to predict the composition of the inflammatory infiltrate in the MS tissue. Identification of the regulation of miRNAs in MS tissue may lead us to a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease, and potentially provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention.