Disorders of MicroRNAs in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: As Novel Biomarkers of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Provocative Therapeutic Targets

Abstract

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs can potentially regulate every aspect of cellular activity. In this study, we investigated whether AS pathogenesis involves microRNAs disorders. RESULT: The expression of 2 microRNAs, hsa-miR-126-3p and hsa-miR-29a, was significantly lower in active AS group before etanercept therapy than in control group. Marched fold changes of them were 3.76 and 16.22. Moreover, expressions of hsa-miR-126-3p and hsa-miR-29a were dramatically upregulated after 12-weeks etanercept treatment. Fold changes were 2.20 and 3.18. All regulations of microRNAs expression mentioned before were statistically significant (fold change >2 and P < 0.05). The expression disorders of the 2 microRNAs did not statistically significantly correlated with BASDAI, CRP, and ESR. CONCLUSION: AS pathogenesis involved dysregulation of microRNAs. Hsa-miR-126-3p and hsa-miR-29a will probably become the potential biomarkers and provocative therapeutic targets of AS.