Background
Alopecia areata (AA) is considered an autoimmune disorder caused by altered Tcell-
mediated immunity. MicroRNAs (miR) are important translational regulators of
genes in various tissues and biological processes involved in autoimmune
responses and have been identified in autoimmune diseases such as
rheumatoid arthritis and type I diabetes mellitus. However, little is known about
their role in pathogenesis of AA.
Objective
To assess serum levels of miR-155 and miR-146a in patients with AA and to
correlate them with different clinical variables.
Patients and methods
MiR-155 and miR-146a serum levels were identified by real-time PCR in 50 patients
with AA and 50 healthy age-matched and sex-matched patients as controls.
Disease severity in the patients was assessed by Severity of Alopecia Tool score.
Results
There was a statistically significant increase in serum miR-155 and miR-146a levels
in patients with AA than in controls. A significant increase in serum levels of miR-
155 was found in patients with active disease and recurrent lesions of AA, whereas
significant increase in serum level of miR-146a was found in patients with recurrent
disease only. Significant positive correlations were found between serum miR-155
and miR-146a levels and disease severity.
Conclusion
Serum levels of miR-155 and miR-146a seem to have an essential role in the
etiopathogenesis of AA and could be markers for severity and early detection of
recurrent AA. In addition, serum miR-155 could be a marker of activity in AA,
whereas serum miR-146a could be a marker of multiplicity. Further understanding
of the function and regulation of miR-155 and miR-146a could be of great value for
the introduction of new therapeutic approaches for AA. |
