Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Medical Biochemistry

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral joints. Different microRNAs had been investigated in RA including miRNA-146a meanwhile, miRNA-499 there were no studies to prove its expression in RA serum samples. This study was performed to investigate expression of miRNAs-146a and-499 and their polymorphisms in Egyptian patients with RA and to evaluate their relationship with clinico-pathological data. Subjects and Methods The present study includes 2 main groups: 52 RA patients and 56 unrelated healthy controls. RA patients were classified according to DAS28 score into inactive (23 patients) and active (29 patients). Quantitative expression of serum miRNA-146a, miRNA-499 as well as their genotyping rs2910164(C/G) and rs37464444 (T/C) respectively were done to all subjects using real time PCR. Results serum miRNA-146a and-499 were significantly over expressed in RA patients that were correlated to ANA and deformity in RA patients. There was a significant difference in the CC and GG genotype of rs2910164 and in the TT and CC genotype of rs37464444 in RA patients compared to the control subjects. Conclusions serum miRNA-146a and-499 were significantly over expressed in RA patients, but they were not correlated to disease activity. miRNA-146a (rs2710164) was not associated with RA susceptibility while miRNA-499 (rs3746444) was significantly associated with RA susceptibility

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