Investigating the association between the tissue expression of miRNA-101, JAK2/STAT3 with TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, and IL-10 cytokines in the ulcerative colitis patients.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease caused by numerous factors, such as immune system dysfunction and genetic factors. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in UC pathogenesis, particularly via the JAK-STAT pathway. Our aim was to investigate the association between miRNA-101 and JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway with inflammatory cytokines in UC patients. METHODS: We enrolled 35 UC patients and 35 healthy individuals as the control group, referred to Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Patients were diagnosed based on clinical, laboratory, histological, and colonoscopy criteria. RNA and protein extracted from tissue samples. Real-time PCR was used to assess the expression levels of miRNA-101, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-10 genes, while western blot was employed to measure levels of P-STAT3, total STAT3, and JAK2 proteins. RESULTS: Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 significantly increased, while the expression of IL-10 significantly decreased in the case group versus controls. Additionally, miRNA-101 expression was significantly higher in UC patients. A significant correlation between miRNA-101 and IL-6 expression was observed, indicating their relationship and possible impact on cell signaling pathways, JAK2-STAT3. No significant changes were observed in phosphorylated and total STAT3 and JAK2 protein expression. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of increased miRNA-101 expression in UC tissue, suggesting a potential correlation between miRNA-101 and IL-6 expression and their involvement in the JAK2-STAT3 pathway. The study confirms alterations in UC patients' pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory IL-10. However, further investigations are needed to understand the exact role of miRNA-101 in UC pathogenesis fully.

Efficacy of Anti-TNF Therapy for the Treatment of Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease; a First Iranian Report.

BACKGROUND The anti-TNF drugs are shown to be highly effective in treatment of patients with moderate-tosevere inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of antiTNF therapy at the national level. METHODS IBD patients aged 15 > years who received Infliximab and/or CinnoRA® between 2013 to July 2018 were identified. The data extracted from medical dossier and telephonic interview. The efficacy of therapy was defined as time to drug discontinuation or need for IBD-related surgery. The safety was assessed based on patient's reported adverse events. RESULTS We included 315 patients. The mean age of patients was 37.2 years and 62.2% of them developed the disease before age 30 years. Involvement of masculoskeletal system was reported in 7.3% of patients. Partial and complete response to Anti-TNF therapy was seen in 67% of patients. About 16% of patients did not respond to induction therapy and 16.9% of patients lost their response to Anti-TNF during one year. No serious adverse events, serious opportunistic infection, tuberculosis and malignancies reported by patients. Two patients reported pneumonia. CONCLUSION This study for the first time in our country, provides the evidences for efficacy of anti-TNF therapy in moderate to severe IBD patients.