MiR-155 expression is a potential biomarker of systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosis and disease activity prediction

Abstract

BackgroundEarly diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and its activity has a curtail role in the proper management of the disease with positive effect on its prognosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) evidently take apart in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Many miRNAs play a role in SLE pathogenesis and miR-155 is one of them. ObjectiveTo examine miR-155 expression in patients with SLE and evaluate its role in the disease development and activity. Subjects and methodsThe current study evaluated miR-155 expression in 60 SLE patients and 40 apparently healthy controls (HCs) using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Diagnosis was according to Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria. Disease activity was evaluated by systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI-2 K) score. ResultsmiR-155 level was significantly higher in SLE patients than controls with significant positive correlation with SLEDAI score and positive relation to renal involvement, proteinuria, pulmonary complications, fever and dsDNA antibodies. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that miR-155 is a significant risk factor for SLE. ConclusionOverexpression of miR-155 occurs in SLE and it can be used as a predictor biomarker for disease's development and activity. It also may be a risk for renal involvement in the disease course.