Micro RNA-146a expression, NF-κB/P65 activity and serum pentosidine levels as potential biomarkers for disease severity in primary knee osteoarthritis patients

IntroductionIdentifying osteoarthritis (OA) patients at high risk for progression is important.Aim of the workTo study the expression pattern of micro RNA-146a (miR-146a), NF-κB/p65 binding activity and serum pentosidine levels in patients with primary knee OA (KOA) in order to assess their value as potential markers for disease prognosis and severity and to clarify their role in disease pathogenesis.Patient and methodsThis study was conducted on 36 female patients with primary KOA divided radiologically into those with moderate KOA and severe KOA as well as 20 controls. The expression patterns of miR-146a were analyzed using quantitative real time-PCR, NF-κB/p65 binding activity and serum pentosidine levels determined using ELISA kits.ResultsmiR-146a expression levels were significantly higher in KOA patients than controls being significantly higher in moderate KOA compared to severe cases. NF-κB/p65 binding activity and serum pentosidine levels were significantly higher in severe KOA patients (0.74 ± 0.06 and 425.2 ± 40.3 pg/ml) compared to moderate cases (0.3 ± 0.03 and 311.4 ± 30 pg/ml) (p < 0.05) and were higher compared to controls (0.15 ± 0.08 and 257 ± 32.3 pg/ml respectively) (p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study may emphasize the role of miR-146a expression, and NFKB/p65 binding activity in primary KOA. Assessment of NFKB/p65 binding activity, miR-146a expression, and serum pentosidine in primary KOA patients could extend the panel of laboratory tests available to monitor the severity and progress of the disease and might benefit as markers for detection of patients with high risk for disease progression; and hence to be a novel therapeutic target to inhibit cartilage destruction.