Expression and distribution patterns of spermine, spermidine, and putrescine in rat hair follicle.

No expression and distribution patterns of polyamines (PAs), spermine, spermidine, and their precursor putrescine in mammalian hair follicle are available, although polyamines are known to correlate well with hair growth and epidermal tumor genesis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using our original two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) ASPM-29 specific for spermine or spermidine, and APUT-32 specific for putrescine allowed us to detect immunoreactivity for polyamines in hair follicles from normal adult rats. A wide range of immunoreactivity for the total spermine and spermidine was observed in the compartments of hair follicle: The highest degree of immunoreactivity for polyamines was observed in the matrix, in the Huxley's layer, in the deeper Henle's layer, and in the cuticle of the inner root sheath/the hair cuticle, while moderate immunoreactivity existed in the lower-to-mid cortex and the companion layer, followed by lower immunoreactivity in the outer root sheath, including the bulge region and in the deeper medulla, in which the immunoreactivity was also evident in their nuclei. In addition, somewhat surprisingly, with IHC by APUT-32 mAb, we detected significant levels of putrescine in the compartments, in which the immunostaining pattern was the closely similar to that of the total spermine and spermidine. Thus, among these compartments, the cell types of the matrix, the Huxley's layer, the deeper Henle's layer, and the cuticle of the inner root sheath/the hair cuticle seem to have the biologically higher potential in compartments of anagen hair follicle, maybe suggesting that they are involved more critically in the biological event of hair growth. In addition, we noted sharp differences of immunostaining by IHCs between ASPM-29 mAb and APUT-32 mAb in the epidermis cells and fibroblast. ASPM-29 mAb resulted in strong staining in both the cell types, but APUT-32 mAb showed only very light staining in both types. Consequently, the use of the two IHCs could be extremely useful in further studies on hair cycle and epidermal tumor genesis experimentally or clinically.

Dysregulated interleukin-23 signalling contributes to the increased collagen production in scleroderma fibroblasts via balancing microRNA expression.

OBJECTIVES: The overexpression of IL-12 family cytokines is implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc, but their exact role is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of extracellular matrix expression by IL-23 and its contribution to the phenotype of SSc. METHODS: The mRNA expression was determined by PCR array and real-time PCR. The expression levels of proteins were determined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining. The effect of IL-23 on dermal fibrosis in vivo was examined in a mouse model of SSc induced by bleomycin injection. RESULTS: Among the IL-12 family members, IL-23 decreased expression of type I collagen protein in cultured normal dermal fibroblasts. We found that miR-4458 and miR-18a mediated the reduction of collagen expression by IL-23. On the contrary, IL-23 up-regulated type I collagen expression in SSc fibroblasts. The paradoxical effects of IL-23 in SSc fibroblasts were also mediated by the balance between miR-4458 and miR-18a expression. Moreover, we revealed that injection of IL-23 into the mouse skin accelerated skin fibrosis. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to report that the balance of two miRNAs is involved in the collagen dysregulation in SSc fibroblasts. Clarification of the regulatory mechanism of tissue fibrosis by IL-23 in SSc skin may lead to a better understanding of this disease and new therapeutic approaches.

EBI3 Downregulation Contributes to Type I Collagen Overexpression in Scleroderma Skin.

IL-12 family cytokines are implicated in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases, but their role in the regulation of extracellular matrix expression and its contribution to the phenotype of systemic sclerosis (SSc) remain to be elucidated. Among the IL-12 family members, IL-35 decreases type I collagen expression in cultured dermal fibroblasts. IL-35 consists of p35 and EBI3 subunits, and EBI3 alone could downregulate the protein and mRNA expression of type I or type III collagen in the presence or absence of TGF-ß costimulation. We found that collagen mRNA stability was reduced by EBI3 via the induction of miR-4500. The IL-35 levels in the sera or on the surface of T cells were not altered in SSc patients, while EBI3 expression was decreased in the keratinocytes of the epidermis and regulatory T cells of the dermis in SSc skin compared with normal skin, which may induce collagen synthesis in SSc dermal fibroblasts. We also found that gp130, the EBI3 receptor, was expressed in both normal and SSc fibroblasts. Moreover, we revealed that EBI3 supplementation by injection into the skin improves mice skin fibrosis. Decreased EBI3 in SSc skin may contribute to an increase in collagen accumulation and skin fibrosis. Clarifying the mechanism regulating the extracellular matrix expression by EBI3 in SSc skin may lead to better understanding of this disease and new therapeutic strategies using ointment or microinjection of the subunit.

Long non-coding RNA TSIX is upregulated in scleroderma dermal fibroblasts and controls collagen mRNA stabilization.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are thought to have various functions other than RNA silencing. We tried to evaluate the expression of lncRNAs in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and determined whether lncRNAs controls collagen expression in dermal fibroblasts. lncRNA expression was determined by real-time PCR and in situ hybridization. Protein and mRNA levels of collagen were analysed using immunoblotting and real-time PCR. We found TSIX, one of the lncRNAs, was overexpressed in SSc dermal fibroblasts both in vivo and in vitro, which was inhibited by the transfection of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 siRNA. TSIX siRNA reduced the mRNA expression of type I collagen in normal and SSc dermal fibroblasts, but not the levels of major disease-related cytokines. In addition, TSIX siRNA significantly reduced type I collagen mRNA stability, but not protein half-lives. Furthermore, we first investigated serum lncRNA levels in patients with SSc, and serum TSIX levels were significantly increased in SSc patients. TSIX is a new regulator of collagen expression which stabilizes the collagen mRNA. The upregulation of TSIX seen in SSc fibroblasts may result from activated endogenous TGF-ß signalling and may play a role in the constitutive upregulation of collagen in these cells. Further studies on the regulatory mechanism of tissue fibrosis by lncRNAs in SSc skin lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis, new diagnostic methods by their serum levels and new therapeutic approaches using siRNAs.

Safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of ART-648, a PDE4 inhibitor in healthy subjects: A randomized, placebo-controlled phase I study.

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor is associated with a broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory mechanism. However, securing clinically efficacious doses with sufficient safety margins remains challenging due to class specific adverse events that are often unavoidable in the clinic. ART-648 is an orally available PDE4 inhibitor being developed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. According to the estimated clinical doses based on an in vitro whole-blood assay, a phase I study was designed. The purpose of this phase I study was to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) following single and multiple administration of ART-648 in healthy subjects. PD was assessed by suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced TNFα release in ex vivo whole-blood assay. In the single rising dose study, ART-648 was safe and well tolerated with a dose-proportional increase in exposures up to 4 mg. Single doses of ART-648 demonstrated dose-dependent PD response, indicating target engagement at 2-8 mg doses. In the multiple rising dose study, doses up to 4 mg BID after careful titration were well tolerated, while doses up to 6 mg BID were tolerated not in all but the majority of subjects. In conclusion, ART-648 exhibits a favorable PK profile with robust target engagement at clinically safe and tolerated doses identified in healthy subjects.

Hair miR-29a levels are decreased in patients with scleroderma.

In the present study, we evaluated the possibility that we can utilize hair shaft miR-29a levels as disease marker of scleroderma. Hair samples were obtained from 20 scleroderma patients, five dermatomyositis patients and 13 controls. microRNAs were purified from hairs as well as skins or sera, and miR-29a levels were measured with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mean hair miR-29a levels in scleroderma patients were significantly lower than those in control subjects or dermatomyositis, while expression levels of hair shaft marker keratin 34 were similar among them. There was no strong correlation among the miR-29a levels in the hair, skin and serum of each patient, suggesting that hair microRNAs can be independent biomarkers. We found scleroderma patients with decreased miR-29a levels had contracture of the phalanges at a significantly higher prevalence than those without. To confirm the clinical usefulness of hair microRNAs, large-scale researches are needed in the future.

Association between psychomotor function and ALDH2 genotype after consuming barley shochu: A randomized crossover trial.

Sustained exposure to acetaldehyde, the major metabolite of ethanol, may influence psychomotor performance even after the breath ethanol level significantly drops several hours following ethanol consumption. We examined the relationship between psychomotor function and changes in exhaled ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations after consuming a low dose (0.33 g/kg) of barley shochu, a traditional Japanese distilled alcohol beverage, at the point when the exhaled ethanol concentrations dropped below 78,000 parts per billion (0.15 mg/L), the standard threshold for driving under the influence of alcohol in Japan. We assessed how the genetic polymorphisms of rs671 G/G homozygous (*1/*1) and G/A heterozygous (*1/*2) of ALDH2 influenced the kinetics of ethanol and acetaldehyde in exhaled air and psychomotor dynamics using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Critical Flicker Fusion Test (CFFT), and visual analogue scale (VAS) up to 12 h after shochu or water intake. There was no significant difference in DSST and CFFT scores depending on genotype; however, the time required for the DSST to attain the level prior to drinking was longer in the ALDH2 *1/*2 group than in the *1/*1 group. In the VAS test, facial flushing and mood elevation tended to be higher in the *1/*2 group after shochu consumption. VAS scores for mood elevation and facial flushing correlated with acetaldehyde concentration in exhaled breath. These results indicate that DSST recovery tends to be slower and mood elevation higher in the ALDH2 *1/*2 group even when exposed to a low dose of alcohol.

A phase I study to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of respiratory syncytial virus neutralizing monoclonal antibody MK-1654 in healthy Japanese adults.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection among all infants worldwide and remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. To address this unmet medical need, MK-1654, a half-life extended RSV neutralizing monoclonal antibody, is in clinical development for the prevention of RSV disease in infants. This was a phase I, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-site, double-blind trial of MK-1654 in 44 healthy Japanese adults. The safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, antidrug antibodies (ADAs), and serum neutralizing antibody (SNA) titers against RSV were evaluated for 1 year after a single intramuscular (i.m.) or intravenous (i.v.) dose of MK-1654 or placebo in five groups (100 mg i.m., 300 mg i.m., 300 mg i.v., 1000 mg i.v., or placebo). MK-1654 was generally well-tolerated in Japanese adults. There were no serious drug-related adverse events (AEs) reported in any MK-1654 recipient and no discontinuations due to any AEs in the study. The half-life of MK-1654 ranged from 76 to 91 days across dosing groups. Estimated bioavailability was 86% for 100 mg i.m. and 77% for 300 mg i.m. One participant out of 33 (3.0%) developed detectable ADA with no apparent associated AEs. The RSV SNA titers increased in a dose-dependent manner among participants who received MK-1654. These data support the development of MK-1654 for use in Japanese infants.

Recent approaches to gout drug discovery: an update.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammation induced by urate deposition in joints causes gout. Healthy individuals maintain serum levels of urate by balancing urate production/excretion, whereas a production/excretion imbalance increases urate levels. Hyperuricemia is diagnosed when the serum urate level is continuously above 7 mg/dl as the solubility limit, and urate accumulates in the kidneys and joints. Because hyperuricemia increases the risk of gout, therapies aim to eliminate urate deposition to prevent gouty arthritis and kidney injury. AREAS COVERED: This review discusses the mechanism underlying hyperuricemia with respect to urate production and urate transport, along with urate-lowering therapeutics, including urate synthesis inhibitors, uricolytic enzymes, and uricosuric agents. The authors asses published data on relevant commercial therapy development projects and clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION: Available treatment options for hyperuricemia are limited. Allopurinol, a urate synthesis inhibitor, is generally administered at a reduced dosage to patients with renal impairment. Some URAT1 inhibitors have an unfavorable side effect profile. A promising strategy for treatment is the use of uricosuric agents that inhibit transporters (e.g. URAT1, URATv1/GLUT9, OAT10) which reabsorb urate from the urine.

Histological evaluation of nintedanib in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mice.

AIMS: In addition to potentially progressing to either cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is currently the leading indication for liver transplantation. Nintedanib has been clinically used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for many years, but its effects in an animal model of NASH have not been tested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of nintendanib on NASH in choline-deficient, l-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD)-fed mice. MAIN METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a CDAHFD for 6 weeks to induce NASH with liver fibrosis, and they were administered nintedanib (60 mg/kg/day) or distilled water orally in the last 2 weeks of the feeding period. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglyceride, and non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were measured. Serum cytokeratin 18 fragment (CK18) was detected using ELISA. Liver tissue sections from mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome to assess the level of steatohepatitis and fibrosis. KEY FINDINGS: CDAHFD-fed mice exhibited higher serum ALT, AST, and ALP levels compared with Control mice. A significant increase in the serum CK18 level was observed in the NASH group compared with the Control group. CDAHFD feeding also enhanced steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis pathological features, which were reduced after nintedanib treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: Nintedanib exerted anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in CDAHFD-induced NASH mice.

Diagnosis of nail psoriasis: evaluation of nail-derived microRNAs as potential novel biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNA levels in sera or hair may potentially be useful biomarkers for various diseases. The diagnosis of nail diseases is sometimes difficult, and nail psoriasis without skin lesions is indistinguishable from nail changes caused by other diseases. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated nail microRNA levels as biomarkers for the diagnosis of psoriasis patients. MATERIALS & METHODS: MicroRNA levels were examined in psoriasis patients with (11 patients) and without (six patients) nail changes. Normal control nails were collected from 17 healthy subjects. Eight patients with other diseases who also had nail changes were also included as disease controls. RESULTS: Microarray, real-time PCR, and in situ hybridisation indicated that the expression levels of nail miR-4454 were decreased in psoriasis patients with nail changes, compared to those patients with other diseases involving nail change, or healthy subjects. The miR-4454 levels in nails showed a significant inverse correlation with the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score, suggesting that nail miR-4454 levels reflect nail condition. CONCLUSION: The levels of microRNAs in nails may be suitable biomarkers for diagnosis or evaluation of disease activity of psoriasis.

Serum levels of genomic DNA of α1(I) collagen are elevated in scleroderma patients.

Recent studies have indicated that various nucleic acids are present in human sera, and attracted attention for their potential as novel disease markers in many human diseases. In this study, we tried to evaluate the possibility that DNA and RNA of collagens exist in human sera, and determined whether their serum levels can be useful biomarkers in scleroderma patients. The RNA or DNA of collagens were purified from sera, and detected by polymerase chain reaction or quantitated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Among approximately 18 360 bases of full-length α1(I) collagen DNA, various regions were detected by polymerase chain reaction in human sera. However, α2(I) collagen DNA, α1(I) collagen RNA or α2(I) collagen RNA were not detectable. α1(I) Collagen DNA in sera was quantitative using our method. The levels of serum α1(I) collagen DNA were significantly increased in scleroderma patients compared with healthy control subjects or systemic lupus erythematosus patients. According to the receiver-operator curve analysis, serum α1(I) collagen DNA levels were shown to be effective as a diagnostic marker of scleroderma. Furthermore, when we determined the association of serum α1(I) collagen DNA levels with clinical/laboratory features in scleroderma patients, those with elevated α1(I) collagen DNA levels showed significantly higher prevalence of pitting scars/ulcers. In summary, elevation of serum α1(I) collagen DNA levels in scleroderma patients may be useful as the diagnostic marker, reflecting the presence of vasculopathy.

Altered expression of CD63 and exosomes in scleroderma dermal fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Exosomes are small vesicles shed from various cells. They contain proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and are regarded as a tool of cell-cell communication. OBJECTIVES: To reveal the putative role of exosomes in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to elucidate the effect of exosomes on wound healing. METHODS: The expression of common markers for exosomes (CD63, CD9, and CD81) and type I collagen were examined with real-time PCR, immunohistochemical analysis, ELISA, immunoblotting, and flow cytometry. The effect of serum-derived exosomes on wound healing was tested on full-thickness wounds in the mid-dorsal skin of BALB/c mice. RESULTS: The expression levels of CD63 as well as CD9 and CD81 tended to be increased in SSc dermal fibroblasts compared to normal fibroblasts. Increased exosomes in a cultured media of SSc fibroblasts stimulated the expression levels of type I collagen in normal fibroblasts. As the mechanism, collagen-related microRNA levels in SSc fibroblast-derived exosomes were dysregulated, indicating that both the amount and the content of exosomes were altered in SSc. On the other hand, SSc sera showed significantly decreased exosome levels compared to normal sera. The frequencies of vascular involvements, including skin ulcers or pitting scars, were significantly increased in patients with decreased serum exosome levels. The healing of mice wounds was accelerated by treatment with serum-derived exosomes. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular abnormalities in SSc may account for the decreased serum exosome levels by the disturbed transfer of exosomes from the skin tissue to the blood stream. Our study suggests the possibility that SSc patients with vascular involvements have decreased serum exosome levels, which causes the delay of wound healing due to down-regulation of collagen, resulting in higher susceptibility to pitting scars and/or ulcers. Exosome research will lead to a detailed understanding of SSc pathogenesis and new therapeutic approaches.

Establishment and gene expression analysis of disease-derived induced pluripotent stem cells of scleroderma.

BACKGROUND: We recently generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from cultured dermal fibroblasts of systemic sclerosis (SSc-iPSC) to study the disease mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we have performed gene expression analysis using cultured SSc dermal fibroblasts, SSc-iPSC, and fibroblasts re-differentiated from SSc-iPSC (SSc-iPSC-FB). METHODS: mRNA and protein levels of collagen and integrins were analyzed using PCR array, PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: We compared expression pattern of TGF-ß-related genes between normal iPSC (NS-iPSC) and SSc-iPSC by PCR array, and found constitutive and significant down-regulation of S100A8, Smad6, and TGF-ß2 in SSc-iPSC. The expression of these genes was not altered in cultured SSc fibroblasts or SSc-iPSC-FB compared to NS fibroblasts or NS-iPSC-FB, respectively. On the other hand, the expression of collagen, integrin α and ß was up-regulated in SSc fibroblasts, while SSc-iPSC-FB showed normalized levels of collagen and integrin ß. CONCLUSIONS: So far, there have been no reports investigating disease-derived iPSCs of SSc. Our results suggest that S100A8, Smad6, and TGF-ß2 may be the key molecules of this disease. On the other hand, the normalization of collagen and integrins by iPSC reprogramming suggests that epigenetic modifications of genes may play a role in the mechanism of collagen accumulation seen in SSc fibroblasts, and that gene reprogramming may become novel therapeutic approach. As the limitation of this study, we established only one iPSC line from each patient, which may not be enough to discuss disease-specific phenotypes. Larger studies including increased number of iPSC lines are needed in the future.

Mice overexpressing integrin αv in fibroblasts exhibit dermal thinning of the skin.

BACKGROUND: Integrins, especially αv integrin (ITGAV), are thought to play central roles in tissue fibrosis and the pathogenesis of scleroderma. So far, skin phenotype of tissue-specific transgenic mice of ITGAV have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of ITGAV in the skin fibrosis, we engineered transgenic mice that overexpress ITGAV in the fibroblasts under the control of the COL1A2 enhancer promoter. METHODS: Protein or RNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: Dermal thickness and Masson's trichrome staining were decreased in ITGAV transgenic (Tg) mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Protein and mRNA levels of COL1A2, COL3A1, CTGF and integrin ß3 were down-regulated in the skin of Tg mice. In addition, the cell proliferation of cultured dermal fibroblasts obtained from Tg mice skin was decreased compared to those of WT mice. FAK phosphorylation was reduced in fibroblasts cultured from Tg mice skin in comparison to WT mice fibroblasts. Integrin ß3 siRNA inhibited FAK phosphorylation levels, while FAK inhibitor reduced the expression of collagens and CTGF in mice dermal fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: The down-regulation of collagen or CTGF by decreased integrin ß3 and FAK phosphorylation may cause the dermal thinning in Tg mice. Lower CTGF may also result in reduced growth of Tg mice fibroblasts. Our hypothesis is that the balance between α and ß chain of integrins positively or negatively control collagen expression and dermal thickness. This study gave a new insight in the treatment of tissue fibrosis and scleroderma by balancing integrin expression.

Decreased interleukin-20 expression in scleroderma skin contributes to cutaneous fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of interleukin-20 (IL-20) in the regulatory mechanism of extracellular matrix expression and to determine the contribution of IL-20 to the phenotype of systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of collagen, Fli-1, IL-20, and IL-20 receptor (IL-20R) were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array, immunoblotting, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time PCR. RESULTS: PCR array revealed that IL-20 decreased gene expression of α2(I) collagen (0.03-fold), Smad3 (0.02-fold), and endoglin (0.05-fold) in cultured normal dermal fibroblasts. Fli-1 protein expression was induced by IL-20 (~2-fold). The inhibition of collagen by IL-20, the induction of Fli-1 by IL-20, and the reduction of Smad3 and endoglin by IL-20 were also observed in SSc fibroblasts. Serum IL-20 levels were reduced only slightly in SSc patients but were significantly decreased in patients with scleroderma spectrum disorders (the prodromal stage of SSc) compared with those in normal subjects (111.3 pg/ml versus 180.4 pg/ml; P < 0.05). On the other hand, IL-20 mRNA expression in SSc skin was decreased compared with that in normal skin (P < 0.05), which may result in the induction of collagen synthesis in SSc dermal fibroblasts. IL-20R was expressed in normal and SSc fibroblasts. Moreover, IL-20 supplementation by injection into the skin reversed skin fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice (~0.5-fold). CONCLUSION: IL-20 reduces basal collagen transcription via Fli-1 induction, while down-regulation of Smad3 and endoglin may cancel the effect of transforming growth factor ß in SSc fibroblasts. To confirm the therapeutic value of IL-20 and IL-20R, their function and expression in vivo should be further studied.

Detection of hair-microRNAs as the novel potent biomarker: evaluation of the usefulness for the diagnosis of scleroderma.

BACKGROUND: Serum microRNA levels are known as useful biomarkers for various diseases. Recent publication has indicated the existence of microRNAs in hair roots and hair shafts. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated several methods for the extraction of hair microRNAs, and their usefulness for the diagnosis of scleroderma. METHODS: A single hair root and 5 pieces of hair shafts were obtained from the occiput of each individual of 11 scleroderma patients and 13 normal subjects at the time of serum sampling. microRNA extraction from sera or hair roots was performed with commercially available kits. microRNAs were extracted from hair shafts using four different methods. microRNA expression was evaluated by PCR array and real-time PCR. RESULTS: We demonstrated microRNAs in hair roots and hair shafts were detectable and quantitative using our method. We found the difference of microRNA levels in hair roots and hair shafts obtained from different places of head in each individual were within 2-fold, indicating the reproducibility of hair microRNA levels by our method. PCR array revealed microRNAs from sera, hair roots and hair shafts have different expression pattern, and can be independent biomarkers. Serum and hair root miR-196a levels were not significantly changed in scleroderma patients, while we found miR-196a levels in hair shafts were significantly decreased in scleroderma patients compared to those in normal subjects (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hairs are more accessible than sera among human samples. microRNAs levels in hair roots or hair shafts may become effective and independent biomarkers.