title: microRNA-126 expression and its mechanism of action in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study is to investigate the expression level of microRNA-126 (miRNA-126) in the plasma of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty SLE patients admitted at our institution were recruited in study group and 30 normal subjects seeking health check-up at our institution during the same period were included in control group. Plasma levels of miRNA-126 were determined using fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. Plasma levels of IFN-α were determined and compared between two groups using ELISA. RT-PCR was performed to measure the levels of ISG56 mRNA, an IFN-inducible gene (IFNG), in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of both groups. miRNA-126 expression was interfered in PBMC of SLE patients by introducing the mimic and inhibitor of miRNA-126. Levels of ISG56 mRNA in transfected PBMCs were determined using RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of miRNA-126 were significantly lower in the plasma of SLE patients than normal controls (p < 0.05). Plasma levels of IFN-α were significantly higher in SLE patients than normal population (p < 0.05). ISG56 mRNA in PBMC was significantly higher in SLE patients than controls (p < 0.05). As for SLE patients, levels of IFN-α and ISG56 mRNA were significantly decreased in PBMCs with high expression of miRNA-126 but were significantly increased in PBMCs with low expression of miRNA-126 (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  miRNA-126 expression is reduced in SLE patients. miRNA-126 may be involved in the initiation and development of SLE by inhibiting the production of IFN.
authors.affiliation: Tengzhou Central People's Hospital, Tengzhou City, Shandong Province, China. yongjie1077@163.com.
authors.forename: Y-J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: W-J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: J-Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Bai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C527111:MIRN126 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs