MicroRNAs in pulmonary sarcoidosis: A systematic review

Large Lung Consolidation: A Rare Presentation of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a complex inflammatory disease of uncertain origin, characterized by non-necrotizing epithelioid cell granulomas (NNEGs) affecting multiple organ systems. Although many different clinical and pathological phenotypes can be present, with different organs involved, the lung is the most common site described. In this case report, we (a) present and discuss the broad differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with a solitary lung mass with clinical and imaging features of lung cancer that ultimately was confirmed with a rare manifestation of stage II pulmonary sarcoidosis, and (b) analyze and compare similar cases from the literature.

Pathophysiological Gaps, Diagnostic Challenges, and Uncertainties in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Cardiac sarcoidosis can mimic any cardiomyopathy in different stages. Noncaseating granulomatous inflammation can be missed, because of the nonhomogeneous distribution in the heart. The current diagnostic criteria show discrepancies and are partly nonspecific and insensitive. Besides the diagnostic pitfalls, there are controversies in the understanding of the causes, genetic and environmental background, and the natural evolution of the disease. Here, we review the current pathophysiological aspects and gaps that are relevant for future cardiac sarcoidosis diagnostics and research.

Non-Coding RNAs in Pulmonary Diseases: Comparison of Different Airway-Derived Biosamples

Due to their structural conservation and functional role in critical signalling pathways, non-coding RNA (ncRNA) is a promising biomarker and modulator of pathological conditions. Most research has focussed on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs). These molecules have been investigated both in a cellular and an extracellular context. Sources of ncRNAs may include organ-specific body fluids. Therefore, studies on ncRNAs in respiratory diseases include those on sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC). It is worth identifying the limitations of these biosamples in terms of ncRNA abundance, processing and diagnostic potential. This review describes the progress in the literature on the role of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis and progression of severe respiratory diseases, including cystic fibrosis, asthma and interstitial lung disease. We showed that there is a deficit of information on lncRNAs and circRNAs in selected diseases, despite attempts to functionally bind them to miRNAs. miRNAs remain the most well-studied, but only a few investigations have been conducted on the least invasive biosample material, i.e., EBC. To summarise the studies conducted to date, we also performed a preliminary in silico analysis of the reported miRNAs, demonstrating the complexity of their role and interactions in selected respiratory diseases.

Common genetic aspects between COVID-19 and sarcoidosis: A network-based approach using gene expression data

The pandemic situation of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global threat on our current planet, with its rapid spread and high mortality rate. Sarcoidosis patients are at high risk to COVID-19 severity for having lung injuries as well as treating with immunosuppressive agents. So, physicians are in dilemma whether they should use immunosuppressive agents or not for the patients with sarcoidosis history and COVID-19 infection. Therefore, common factors should be identified to provide effective treatment. For determining the common genes between COVID-19 and sarcoidosis, GSE164805 and GSE18781 were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Common upregulated genes were identified by using R language to investigate their involved pathways and gene ontologies (GO). With the aid of the STRING Cytoscape plugin tool, protein-protein interactions (PPIs) network was constructed. From the PPIs network, Hub genes and essential modules were detected by using Cytohubba, and MCODE respectively. For hub genes, TFs, TFs-miRNA, and drug, interaction networks were built through the NetworkAnalyst web platform. A total of 34 common upregulated genes were identified and among them, five hub genes, including TET2, MUC5AC, VDR, NFE2L2, and BCL6 were determined. In addition, a cluster having VDR and NFE2L2 was detected from the PPIs network. Moreover, 32 transcription factors and 9 miRNA were recognized for hub genes. Furthermore, vitamin D and some of its analogous compounds were obtained from the drug interaction network. In conclusion, hub genes identified in this study might have potential roles in modulating COVID-19 infection and sarcoidosis. However, further studies are required to corroborate this study.

•

Sarcoidosis patients are at high risk to COVID-19 severity.

•

This study aimed to find out common genetic factors for COVID-19 and Sarcoidosis.

•

34 common upregulated genes were identified from GSE164805 and GSE18781 datasets.

•

From common upregulated genes, five hub genes, VDR, NFE2L2, BCL6, TET2, and MUC5AC, were recognized.

•

Hub genes associated with miRNA, TFs, and drug molecules were also identified.

microRNAs in female infertility: An overview

Infertility impacts a considerable number of women worldwide, and it affects different aspects of family life and society. Although female infertility is known as a multifactorial disorder, there are strong genetic and epigenetic bases. Studies revealed that miRNAs play critical roles in initiation and development of female infertility related disorders. Early diagnosis and control of these diseases is an essential key for improving disease prognosis and reducing the possibility of infertility and other side effects. Investigating the possible use of miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic options is valuable, and it merits attention. Thus, in this article, we reviewed research associated with female diseases and highlighted microRNAs that are related to the polycystic ovary syndrome (up to 30 miRNAs), premature ovarian failure (10 miRNAs), endometriosis (up to 15 miRNAs), uterine fibroids (up to 15 miRNAs), endometrial polyp (3 miRNAs), and pelvic inflammatory (6 miRNAs), which are involved in one or more ovarian or uterine disease-causing processes.

Epigenetics and sarcoidosis

Epigenetic modifications are emerging as important regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in lung disease, given that they are influenced by environmental exposures and genetic variants, and that they regulate immune and fibrotic processes. In this review, we introduce these concepts with a focus on the study of DNA methylation and histone modifications and discuss how they have been applied to lung disease, and how they can be applied to sarcoidosis. This information has implications for other exposure and immunologically mediated lung diseases, such as chronic beryllium disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and asbestosis.

Identification of the Core MicroRNAs and Potential Molecular Mechanismsin Sarcoidosis Using Bioinformatics Analysis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic heterogeneous inflammatory disease; however, the etiology and pathogenesis of sarcoidosis are still unknown. Herein, we investigated the core microRNAs and potential molecular mechanisms in sarcoidosis. The DE-miRNAs were diagnosed using the LIMMA software package. DIANA-mirPath was employed to perform pathway and GO enrichment analysis of the DE-miRNAs. PPI networks and miRNA-target gene regulatory networks were used to obtain insight into the actions of DE-miRNAs. Expression of the hub genes along with miRNAs was validated in clinical specimens. Overall, 266 DE-miRNAs were screened. Among these DE-miRNAs, hsa-miR-144, hsa-miR-126, as well as hsa-miR-106a were the upmost upregulated miRNAs; hsa-miR-151-3p, hsa-miR-320d, and hsa-miR-324-3p were the top downregulated miRNAs. NR3C1, ZBTB7A, NUFIP2, BZW1, ERGIC2, and VEGFA were mapped as the most targeted hub genes in the upregulation of miRNAs, and MCL1 and SAE1 were the most targeted hub genes in the downregulation of miRNA. VEGFA and NR3C1 were selected and potentially modulated by hsa-miR-20b, hsa-miR-126, and hsa-miR-106a. In sarcoidosis pathological tissue, hsa-miR-126 was highly expressed, and VEGFA and NR3C1 were overexpressed. In conclusion, our results revealed the dysregulation of hsa-miR-126 and a potential regulatory mechanism for pathogenesis in sarcoidosis.

Potential use of biomarkers for the clinical evaluation of sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology and pathogenesis with a heterogeneous clinical presentation. In the appropriate clinical and radiological context and with the exclusion of other diagnoses, the disease is characterized by the pathological presence of non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas. Sarcoidosis is postulated to be a multifactorial disease caused by chronic antigenic stimulation. The immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis encompasses a complex interaction between the host, genetic factors and postulated environmental and infectious triggers, which result in granuloma development.The exact pathogenesis of the disease has yet to be elucidated, but some of the inflammatory pathways that play a key role in disease progression and outcomes are becoming apparent, and these may form the logical basis for selecting potential biomarkers.Biomarkers are biological molecules that are altered pathologically. To date, there exists no single reliable biomarker for the evaluation of sarcoidosis, either diagnostically or prognostically but new candidates are emerging. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis ideally requires a biopsy confirming non-caseating granulomas, but the likelihood of progression that requires intervention remains unpredictable. These challenging aspects could be potentially resolved by incorporating biomarkers into clinical practice for both diagnosis and monitoring disease activity.This review outlines the current knowledge on sarcoidosis with an emphasis on pulmonary sarcoidosis, and delineates the understanding surrounding the implication of biomarkers for the clinical evaluation of sarcoidosis.

Current Insights in Genetics of Sarcoidosis: Functional and Clinical Impacts

Sarcoidosis is a complex disease that belongs to the vast group of autoinflammatory disorders, but the etiological mechanisms of which are not known. At the crosstalk of environmental, infectious, and genetic factors, sarcoidosis is a multifactorial disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach for which genetic research, in particular, next generation sequencing (NGS) tools, has made it possible to identify new pathways and propose mechanistic hypotheses. Codified treatments for the disease cannot always respond to the most progressive forms and the identification of new genetic and metabolic tracks is a challenge for the future management of the most severe patients. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding the genes identified by both genome wide association studies (GWAS) and whole exome sequencing (WES), as well the connection of these pathways with the current research on sarcoidosis immune-related disorders.