title: Elevated levels of miR-146a and miR-155 in kidney biopsy and urine from patients with IgA nephropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies suggested miR-146a and miR-155 play important roles in innate and adaptive immune responses. We studied intra-renal and urinary levels of miR-146a and miR-155 in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Intra-renal and urinary levels of miR-146a and miR-155 are quantified in 43 patients with IgAN; the result was compared to 20 nephrectomy specimens and urine sediment of 13 healthy volunteers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of intra-renal and urinary levels of miR-146a and miR-155 of IgAN are significantly higher than controls. Estimated glomerular filtration rate inversely correlates with intra-renal level of miR-146a and miR-155; proteinuria positively correlates with intra-renal level of miR-146a and miR-155, as well as urinary level of miR-146a and miR-155. Intra-renal level of miR-155 significantly correlates with tubulointerstitial scarring. Urinary level of miR-146a inversely correlates with urinary expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and positively correlates with urinary expression of regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed, and secreted (RANTES). Urinary level of miR-155 inversely correlates with urinary expression of IL-1β and TNF-α and positively correlates with urinary expression of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) and RANTES.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that intra-renal and urinary levels of miR-146a and miR-155 were significantly elevated in IgAN, and the degree of upregulation correlates with clinical and histological severity of the disease. Our results suggested miR-146a and miR-155 might play an important role in the pathophysiology of IgAN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Bonnie Ching-Ha
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: Fernand Mac-Moune
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Kai-Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Philip Kam-Tao
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Cheuk-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Szeto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D001706:Biopsy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; C542542:MIRN146 microRNA, human; C524942:MIRN155 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger