Clinical significance of miR-146a-5p and miR-192-5p expression in relation to disease activity and immunobiochemical markers in systemic lupus erythematosus.

INTRODUCTION

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune illness that affects multiple organs. MicroRNAs have emerged as post-transcriptional regulators in autoimmunity. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between circulating miRNA-146a-5p and miRNA-192-5p expression and disease activity, biochemical and immunological markers.

METHODS

Complete blood count, liver and renal function tests, complement levels, and antinuclear antibodies, anti–double-stranded DNA, and anti-smith antibodies were all analyzed in 100 SLE patients and 50 healthy controls. The relative expression levels of miRNA-146a-5p and miRNA-192-5p were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The disease activity was measured using Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, was assessed at the time of sample collection.

RESULTS

SLE patients had lower hemoglobin (9.74 ± 1.26 g/dL vs. 12.15 ± 1.30; p < 0.001), white blood cells (4.51 ± 1.10 × 10³/µL vs. 7.41 ± 1.68; p < 0.001), and platelets (169.0 ± 56.9 × 10³/µL vs. 268.2 ± 67.4; p < 0.001). Serum C3 and C4 levels were reduced (p < 0.001), but creatinine was significantly increased (p < 0.05). miRNA-146a-5p showed significant downregulation (0.0865 ± 0.02 vs. 1.00; p < 0.001) and inverse correlation with SLEDAI (p < 0.001) and C3 (p < 0.001). In contrast, miRNA-192-5p expression was significantly different (2.13 ± 0.41 vs. 1.00; p < 0.001) and positively linked with serum creatinine (p < 0.001) and anti-dsDNA titers (r = 0.49, p < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded Area under the curve values of 0.299 for miRNA-146a-5p and 0.561 for miRNA-192-5p.

CONCLUSION

Altered expressions of miRNA-146a-5p and miRNA-192-5p are linked to SLE disease activity and immunological dysfunction.