MicroRNA markers of inflammation and remodelling in temporal arteries from patients with giant cell arteritis.
There is increasing evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs) are deregulated in autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to identify if miRNAs are deregulated in giant cell arteritis (GCA), a vasculitis affecting large-sized and medium-sized arteries, and to determine if miRNA levels might allow to discriminate between patients with GCA and those without.



58 patients who had temporal artery biopsy (TAB) for suspected GCA were included in the study and divided into three groups: patients with TAB-positive GCA showing a transmural inflammation (n=27), patients with TAB-negative GCA (n=8) and TAB-negative non-GCA patients with a final diagnosis different from GCA (n=23). To identify candidate miRNAs deregulated in GCA, we profiled the expression of 1209 miRNAs in inflamed TABs and normal TABs. Selected miRNAs were then validated by real-time PCRs and in situ hybridisation (ISH).



MiR-146b-5p, -146a, -155, -150, -21 and -299-5p were significantly more expressed in inflamed TABs from patients with GCA. miRNAs were mainly deregulated at the tissue level because peripheral blood mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear cells from the three groups of patients and age-matched healthy controls had similar levels of miRNAs. ISH showed that miR-21 was mainly expressed by cells in the medial and intimal layers of inflamed TABs. Patients with TAB-negative GCA had a miRNA profile similar to TAB-negative non-GCA patients.



MiR-146b-5p, -146a, -21, -150, -155, -299-5p are overexpressed in the presence of inflammation in TABs from patients with GCA.
Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Stefania
S
Croci
Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Zerbini
Rheumatology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Luigi
L
Boiardi
Rheumatology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Francesco
F
Muratore
Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Alessandra
A
Bisagni
Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Davide
D
Nicoli
Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Enrico
E
Farnetti
Rheumatology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Giulia
G
Pazzola
Ophthalmology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Luca
L
Cimino
Ophthalmology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Antonio
A
Moramarco
Pathology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Alberto
A
Cavazza
Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Bruno
B
Casali
Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Maria
M
Parmeggiani
Rheumatology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Carlo
C
Salvarani
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D059467:Transcriptome; D066253:Vascular Remodeling / Q000235:genetics*
D015415:Biomarkers; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D035683:MicroRNAs
Autoimmunity; Giant Cell Arteritis; Inflammation