MicroRNA-21, microRNA-181a and microRNA-196a as potential biomarkers in adult Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

- Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment reduces morbidity and mortality of SLE.
- The studied miRNAs could be available as potential biomarkers for SLE.
- MiR-196a could serve as predictor of the risk of being diagnosed with SLE.
- MiR-21 and miR-196a could be used as early predictors of the disease progression.
- Prediction of disease progression is important to avoid irreversible organ damage.

Dysregulation of miRNAs has been described in systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), however the clinical relevance of using miRNAs as biomarkers for SLE or predictors of disease progression is poorly investigated. This study investigated the expression signature of plasma miR-21, miR-181a and miR-196a among seventy SLE patients with different systemic lupus erythematosis disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores and thirty healthy controls using quantitative real-time PCR. Plasma IL-10 level was also measured in patients and control groups. The expression levels of all selected miRNAs were significantly increased in SLE patients as compared to healthy controls. MiR-196a was superior to differentiate patients from controls, whereas miR-21 was superior to discriminate mild from severe patients. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed miR-196a as independent predictor SLE diagnosis, it also suggest the strength of miR-21 and miR-196a as predictive biomarkers for development of SLE from mild severe form. Plasma IL-10 level was higher in SLE patients than in controls but it was not correlated with disease activity however; it showed a significant correlation with miR-21 expression. These miRNAs represent potential biomarkers in SLE. MiR-21 could serve as predictor of disease progression, while MiR-196a emerges as a novel valuable biomarker to predict both SLE risk and progression, this would be a critical tool for personalizing therapy and to avoid irreversible organ damage associated with SLE.