Increased plasma miR-24 and miR-191 levels in patients with severe atopic dermatitis: Possible involvement of platelet activation.

BACKGROUND

Platelets are involved in the pathomechanisms of atopic dermatitis (AD). This study aimed to elucidate the levels of platelet-related miRNAs, (miR-24 and miR-191) in the plasma of AD patients and their relationships with the disease severity and laboratory data.

METHODS

miRNAs were detected in the subjects plasma using specifically primed quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The patients with severe AD had significantly higher plasma miR-24 or miR-191 levels than the patients with mild AD, the urticaria patients, and the healthy volunteers. The plasma miR-24 and miR-191 levels of the AD patients were correlated with their serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine levels. In addition, plasma miR-24 and miR-191 levels were correlated with their plasma levels of platelet factor 4 and β-thromboglobulin.

CONCLUSION

Our findings imply that miR-24 and miR-191 may be involved in the pathomechanisms responsible for the worsening of AD, possibly through their effects on platelet activation.