Expression of microRNA on peripheral blood cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the expression of 2 bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) related microRNA (miR-21,miR-155) in SLE patients,and to analyze their correlation with clinical features.Methods Peripheral blood was obtained from 59 SLE patients and 25 healthy controls,and total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA).Real-time PCR technique was used to detect gene expression at transcrptional level.Disease activity was determined by SLEDAI score.Patients were divided into different groups based on their manifestations or antibody profiles,then comparison of miRNA expression was carried out using Mann-Whitney test.Results The expression levels of miR-21 and miR-155 were increased in active SLE patients (SLEDAI≥8) as compared to those with mild disease (SLEDAI≤7) or healthy controls (both P＜0.05).Patients with positive anti-dsDNA or lupus nephritis had higher expression levels of miR-21 and miR-155 than those without (P＜0.05).Conclusion The miR-21 and miR-155 expressions are elevated in active SLE patients and are associated with anti-dsDNA and renal involvement.The results suggest that these two miRNAs might play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE disease.