Correlation between microRNA-143 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and disease severity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris

A Review of MicroRNAs and lncRNAs in Atherosclerosis as Well as Some Major Inflammatory Conditions Affecting Atherosclerosis

It is generally accepted that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. The link between atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) via metabolic, inflammatory, and immunoregulatory pathways is well established. The aim of our review was to summarize the associations between selected microRNAs (miRs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and atherosclerosis, psoriasis, T2DM, and RA. We reviewed the role of miR-146a, miR-210, miR-143, miR-223, miR-126, miR-21, miR-155, miR-145, miR-200, miR-133, miR-135, miR-221, miR-424, let-7, lncRNA-H19, lncRNA-MEG3, lncRNA-UCA1, and lncRNA-XIST in atherosclerosis and psoriasis, T2DM, and RA. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a method of intracellular signal transduction. Their function depends on surface expression, cargo, and the cell from which they originate. The majority of the studies that investigated lncRNAs and some miRs had relatively small sample sizes, which limits the generalizability of their findings and indicates the need for more research. Based on the studies reviewed, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-145, miR-200, miR-133, and lncRNA-H19 are the most promising potential biomarkers and, possibly, therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis as well as T2DM, RA, and psoriasis.

Effect of artificial skin membrane on the expression of miR-155 and miR-506-3p in patients with second-degree burns

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of artificial skin on the expression of miR-155 and miR-506-3p in patients with second-degree burns.

METHODS

The study subjects included 50 patients with second-degree burns treated from July 2019 to July 2021. The control group received routine nursing, while the research group received both routine and artificial skin intervention simultaneously. The changes in wound tissue fibrosis and prognosis were observed. The expression levels of miR-155 and miR-506-3p and their downstream regulatory factors were detected and correlated with the rehabilitation of patients after artificial skin treatment.

RESULTS

After treating second-degree burns with artificial skin membranes, the patient's wound tissue fibrosis and inflammation level improved. At the same time, the expression levels of miR-155 and miR-506-3p in related tests were higher than those in patients with available treatment.

CONCLUSION

The effect of artificial skin membrane on the wound healing of second-degree burn patients may be realized by influencing the expression levels of miR-155 and miR-506-3p and their related signaling pathways.

Contribution of the Environment, Epigenetic Mechanisms and Non-Coding RNAs in Psoriasis

Despite the increasing research and clinical interest in the predisposition of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, the multitude of genetic and environmental factors involved in its pathogenesis remain unclear. This complexity is further exacerbated by the several cell types that are implicated in Psoriasis’s progression, including keratinocytes, melanocytes and various immune cell types. The observed interactions between the genetic substrate and the environment lead to epigenetic alterations that directly or indirectly affect gene expression. Changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications that alter DNA-binding site accessibility, as well as non-coding RNAs implicated in the post-transcriptional regulation, are mechanisms of gene transcriptional activity modification and therefore affect the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of Psoriasis. In this review, we summarize the research conducted on the environmental factors contributing to the disease onset, epigenetic modifications and non-coding RNAs exhibiting deregulation in Psoriasis, and we further categorize them based on the under-study cell types. We also assess the recent literature considering therapeutic applications targeting molecules that compromise the epigenome, as a way to suppress the inflammatory cutaneous cascade.

The Role of Epigenetic Factors in Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic, immune-mediated disease with an incidence of approximately 2%. The pathogenesis of the disease is complex and not yet fully understood. Genetic factors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In predisposed individuals, multiple trigger factors may contribute to disease onset and exacerbations of symptoms. Environmental factors (stress, infections, certain medications, nicotinism, alcohol, obesity) play a significant role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In addition, epigenetic mechanisms are considered result in modulation of individual gene expression and an increased likelihood of the disease. Studies highlight the significant role of epigenetic factors in the etiology and pathogenesis of psoriasis. Epigenetic mechanisms in psoriasis include DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs. Epigenetic mechanisms induce gene expression changes under the influence of chemical modifications of DNA and histones, which alter chromatin structure and activate transcription factors of selected genes, thus leading to translation of new mRNA without affecting the DNA sequence. Epigenetic factors can regulate gene expression at the transcriptional (via histone modification, DNA methylation) and posttranscriptional levels (via microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs). This study aims to present and discuss the different epigenetic mechanisms in psoriasis based on a review of the available literature.

Is microRNA 1910-3p (miR-1910-3p) a really distinctive marker for psoriasis?

Background/aim

Although the cause of immune activation in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is still unclear, miRs are thought to have an effect on psoriasis. This work aimed to evaluate the role of miRs (miR-4649-3p, miR-6867-5p, miR-4296, miR-210, and miR-1910-3p) that target the FOXP3 mRNA and IL-17A mRNA in psoriasis.

Materials and methods

Forty-four psoriasis patients and 44 healthy controls were included in the study. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used for the measurement of miRs. Serum IL-17A levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

Results

Plasma miR-1910-3p levels were significantly lower in the patient group than the controls (P = 0.000, fc: 0.10). ROC analysis showed that plasma miR-1910-3p levels could significantly differentiate psoriasis patients from healthy controls [AUC = 0.912 (0.848–0.975), P = 0.000]. The plasma miR-4649-3p level was significantly higher in the psoriasis group compared to the controls (P = 0.000, fc: 2.99).

Conclusion

Decreased expression of miR-1910-3p increases the risk of developing psoriasis by approximately 50-fold and was able to use for the significant differentiation of psoriatic patients from healthy controls.

Association of Circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels With Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are characterized by immune-mediated tissue damage, in which angiogenesis is a prominent pathogenic mechanism. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenesis modulator, is significantly elevated in several ADs including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We determined whether circulating VEGF levels were associated with ADs based on pooled evidence.

Methods

The analyses included 165 studies from the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases and fulfilled the study criteria. Comparisons of circulating VEGF levels between patients with ADs and healthy controls were performed by determining pooled standard mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in a random-effect model using STATA 16.0. Subgroup, sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses were performed to determine heterogeneity and to test robustness.

Results

Compared with healthy subjects, circulating VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients with SLE (SMD 0.84, 95% CI 0.25-1.44, P = 0.0056), RA (SMD 1.48, 95% CI 0.82-2.15, P <0.0001), SSc (SMD 0.56, 95% CI 0.36-0.75, P <0.0001), Behcet's disease (SMD 1.65, 95% CI 0.88-2.41, P <0.0001), Kawasaki disease (SMD 2.41, 95% CI 0.10-4.72, P = 0.0406), ankylosing spondylitis (SMD 0.78, 95% CI 0.23-1.33, P = 0.0052), inflammatory bowel disease (SMD 0.57, 95% CI 0.43-0.71, P <0.0001), psoriasis (SMD 0.98, 95% CI 0.62-1.34, P <0.0001), and Graves' disease (SMD 0.69, 95% CI 0.20-1.19, P = 0.0056). Circulating VEGF levels correlated with disease activity and hematological parameters in ADs.

Conclusion

Circulating VEGF levels were associated with ADs and could predict disease manifestations, severity and activity in patients with ADs.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021227843.

The eminent roles of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-related disorder in which both genetic and environmental parameters are involved. Recent studies have demonstrated dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in the peripheral blood or skin lesions of patients with psoriasis. While a number of lncRNAs such as MEG3, AL162231.4 and NONHSAT044111 have been down-regulated in the course of psoriasis, others including PRINS, MIR31HG, RP6‐65G23.1, MSX2P1, SLC6A14-1:1, NR_003062 have been up-regulated. Moreover, expressions of several miRNAs have been dysregulated in this disorder. Among dysregulated miRNAs are miR-126, miR-143, miR-19a and miR-155 whose diagnostic roles in the psoriasis have also been assessed. Dysregulated non-coding RNAs in this disorder participate in the regulation of chemokine signaling pathway and immune response, control of epidermal development and skin barrier as well as modulation of function of certain subsets of T cells. Besides, these transcripts possibly regulate activity of NF-κΒ, mTOR, MAPK and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Besides, expression levels of circRNAs have been decreased in the psoriasis lesions. Massive alterations in the levels of lncRNAs and miRNAs in the psoriasis lesions or peripheral blood of affected individuals show participation of these transcripts in the pathogenesis of this disorder.