Dicer and microRNA-155 dysregulation in multiple sclerosis: biomarkers for disease progression and treatment response.

BACKGROUND

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an immunological disorder that progressively leads to neurological dysfunction. Dysregulated microRNA expression, particularly miR-155, has been implicated in MS pathogenesis. Dicer, an enzyme responsible for processing precursor microRNAs into their mature forms, is also dysregulated in various conditions, including MS.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess plasma expression levels of miR-155 and Dicer mRNA in MS patients compared to healthy individuals and evaluate their diagnostic value and clinical significance.

METHODS

We analyzed plasma samples from twenty untreated MS patients, 20 MS patients receiving IFNβ1a therapy, and twenty healthy controls. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to quantify miR-155 and Dicer mRNA levels.

RESULTS

MiR-155 was significantly higher in untreated MS patients compared to both healthy controls and IFNβ1a-treated group (p < 0.001). MiR-155 correlated positively with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (r = 0.683, p < 0.001). Conversely, plasma Dicer mRNA levels didn't differ significantly between untreated MS patients and controls. However, Dicer mRNA expression was significantly elevated in the IFNβ1a-treated patients compared to both untreated MS patients (p < 0.001) and healthy controls (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that miR-155 may serve as a promising biomarker for MS diagnosis and disease severity. While Dicer mRNA expression showed limited diagnostic utility, its upregulation in IFNβ1a-treated patients suggests a potential role in monitoring disease progression and treatment response.