title: Decreased expression of miR-20a and miR-92a in the serum from sulfur mustard-exposed patients during the chronic phase of resulting illness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sulfur mustard (SM), with extensive nucleophilic and alkylating properties, was employed during the Iran-Iraq war by Iraqi forces. The most critical complications attributed to SM are related to dangerous pulmonary disorders collectively known as "mustard lung". The symptoms gradually emerge over a long period, becoming chronic, and are dependent on time and the amount of exposed SM. Because of the unknown and complex nature of the disease, no differential diagnostic method or absolute treatment strategy has been formally developed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to determine the expression pattern of the microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-92a and miR-20a in the serum of patients with mustard lung along with that of normal individuals. miRNAs have been shown to possess stable persistence in biofluids like plasma and serum and are considered non-aggressive biomarkers helpful for diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A highly sensitive approach called stem-loop real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to study the expression of miRNAs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of miR-92a and miR-20a was significantly down-regulated in the serum of patients with mustard lung compared to the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Down-regulation of miR-92a and miR-20a may be due to chronic epigenetic alterations after SM exposure, which finally leads to changes in vital cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation and so forth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings may provide a differential diagnostic method that is effective for diagnosing lung diseases caused by SM exposure. Additionally, these miRNAs may be regarded as probable targets for treatment of lung injuries.
authors.affiliation: a Human Genetics Research Center, Baqiyatallah Medical Sciences University , Tehran , Iran and.
authors.forename: Akbar Ghorbani
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Alvanegh
authors.affiliation: a Human Genetics Research Center, Baqiyatallah Medical Sciences University , Tehran , Iran and.
authors.forename: Houri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Edalat
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory Sciences Department , Alborz University of Medical Sciences , Karaj , Iran.
authors.forename: Parviz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fallah
authors.affiliation: a Human Genetics Research Center, Baqiyatallah Medical Sciences University , Tehran , Iran and.
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tavallaei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000633:toxicity*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000477:Alkylating Agents; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; C534451:MIRN20a microRNA, human; C541874:MIRN92 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009151:Mustard Gas
keywords: miR-20a; miR-92a; mustard lung; serum; stem-loop real-time quantitative PCR; sulfur mustard