title: MicroRNA-155 is Dysregulated in the Skin of Patients with Vitiligo and Inhibits Melanogenesis-associated Genes in Melanocytes and Keratinocytes.
abstract: Little is known about the functions of microRNAs (miRNAs) in skin pigmentation disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and potential role of miRNAs in vitiligo. Of 12 studied miRNAs with proven functions in cell proliferation, differentiation, immune responses and melanogenesis, miR-99b, miR-125b, miR-155 and miR-199a-3p were found to be increased and miR-145 was found to be decreased in the skin of patients with vitiligo. Combined pathway and target analysis revealed melanogenesis-associated targets for miR-99b, miR-125b, miR-155 and miR-199a-3p. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated increased expression of miR-155 in the epidermis of patients with vitiligo. Correspondingly, miR-155 was induced by vitiligo-associated cytokines in human primary melanocytes and keratinocytes. When overexpressed, miR-155 inhibited the expression of melanogenesis-associated genes and altered interferon-regulated genes in melanocytes and keratinocytes. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the expression of miRNAs is dysregulated in the skin of patients with vitiligo and suggests that miR-155 contributes to the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Liisi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Šahmatova
authors.forename: Stoyan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tankov
authors.forename: Ele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prans
authors.forename: Alar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aab
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reemann
authors.forename: Maire
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pihlap
authors.forename: Maire
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karelson
authors.forename: Kristi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abram
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kisand
authors.forename: Külli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kingo
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rebane
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D035683:MicroRNAs