Serum miRNA‐214 as a novel biomarker for ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Serum microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have rarely been studied. This study aims to identify the Ankylosing spondylitis-specific miRNAs in the sera of AS patients to correlate miRNA-214 expression levels at early and late stages of the disease. 

This prospective case-control study included 150 participants. The classification was based on the interval between the first spondylo-arthropathic symptom and diagnosis of AS. Disease activity was assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP). The patients were then classified into early and late-diagnosis groups using the axial spondyloarthritis classification criteria set by ASAS. Fifty had early-stage AS, fifty had late-stage AS, and fifty individuals were healthy. The patient's sex, age, family history, and disease duration were recorded. 3 ml of venous blood was drawn from each individual to extract RNA and measure the expression of microRNA-214 by RT-PCR.

In screening for groups, the levels of miRNA-214 expression were compared between AS patients and a healthy control group. The patient group's mean level of miRNA-214 was noticeably higher. In particular, the control group's mean miRNA-214 level was 1.204 ± 0.12, while the patients were 2.412 ± 0.20. This study also shows that miRNA-214 levels were significantly higher in early-stage patients than in late-stage patients (p = 0.0086). Finally, serum miRNA-214 expression levels were validated in AS patients by qPCR.

Elevated miRNA-214 expression provides valuable insights into the molecular underpinnings of AS. These findings suggest that miRNA-214 is a significant biomarker for early detection and for differentiating disease stages, which is crucial for improving patient prognosis and preventing irreversible structural damage.