miRNA-451a and miRNA-125a Expression Levels in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Impact on Disease Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is yet not elucidated, with a potential diagnostic glance of microRNAs (miRNAs). AIM: Study the expression profile of miRNA-451a and miRNA-125a in AS patients and their impact on disease activity and prognosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 55 AS patients diagnosed according to modified New York criteria in 1984 with 55 matched healthy controls. History, clinical examination, and disease activity assessment with Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) were done. Full laboratory and radiological assessment along with expression profile of m iRNA-451a and miRNA-125a were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS: Higher expression levels of miRNA-125a and lower of miRNA-451a in AS patients compared to controls. Furthermore, miRNA-125a expression was high in active AS patients compared to inactive patients and controls (7.0 ± 3.4 vs. 4.1 ± 2.1 vs. 2.6 ± 0.6, p < 0.001, respectively). miRNA-451a was significantly lower in active AS patients compared to inactive patients and controls (2.2 ± 1.1 vs. 4.1 ± 2.3 vs. 7.1 ± 4.5, respectively). Both miRNAs (miRNA-125a and miRNA-451a) had evident accuracy for AS diagnosis with areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.788 and 0.802, respectively. miRNA-125a had potential impact on AS activity with AUC of 0.777. Plasma levels of both miRNAs were able to distinguish AS patients with structural damage with AUCs 0.775 and 0.692, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both miRNA-451a and miRNA-125a were found to be of great value as sensitive noninvasive diagnostic, prognostic, and disease burden biomarker of AS patients in Egypt with suggested further studies for future therapeutic implications.

Cytokine Gene Polymorphism in Children With Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a glomerular disease with completely unclear pathogenesis and different responses to steroid therapy. This study aimed to investigate the role of cytokine genes promoter polymorphisms in steroid therapy responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred children with INS and 30 healthy controls were studied. Genotyping of TNF-α-G308A single nucleotide polymorphism was done using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, while of IL-6-G174C single nucleotide polymorphism was done using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The IL-6-G174C exhibited a significantly different genotype distribution among the children with INS compared with the controls (GG versus CC, P = .02; GG versus GC, P = .003; odds ratio [OR], 5.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64 to 20.70; as well as alleles distribution of G versus C, P ? .001; OR, 7.57; 95% CI, 2.28 to 25.17). With regard to TNF-α-G308A genotype, there was no significant difference in genotype distribution of the children with INS compared with the controls, but a significant difference was observed at the alleles level. Comparing the steroid-resistant group with the steroid-sensitive group, significant association was found at genotypic level in case of IL-6-G174C (GG versus CC, P = .03; OR, 5.52; 95% CI, 1.39 to 21.89), but no association was found regarding GG versus GC. At the allelic level of IL-6-G174C, there was no significant association either. CONCLUSIONS: IL-6-G174C and TNFα-G308A polymorphisms may affect susceptibility to idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and might affect steroid response in INS patients.