MiRNAs as Valuable Diagnostic Biomarkers in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition caused by chronic inflammation of central nervous system and demyelination of neurons. At present, microRNAs (miRNAs) are recognised as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of the diseases. But they are also a new and innovative goal in gene therapy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to find a simple, non-invasive, and valuable biomarker for early detection and potential treatment of MS. In the present study, 30 serum samples of patients with recurrent MS (recurrecy dettermined with McDonald's criteria) were obtained along with the 30 healthy samples. The qRT-PCR method was performed to evaluate the expression level of miR-155a, miR-146a, miR-34a, miR-143a and miR-373a in both groups. The results revealed that miR-155a and miR-146a were significantly upregulated while miR-34a, miR-143a and miR-373a were significantly downregulated in the patient group in comparison with healthy subjects. These results candidate these microRNAs with altered levels as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers in patients with MS, which may be involved in the therapeutic schedule for MS like microRNA replacement therapy in the near future.